In honor of the Second Annual National Everglades Day, April 6th, Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (RBNERR) was ready to throw a party. Just last year the date was chosen as it is the birthday of Marjorie Stoneman Douglas, a champion of the Everglades, known best for her book, “The Everglades: River of Grass.” She was at the forefront of the fight towards redefining the Everglades as a treasured river rather than a useless swamp.

The Picayune Strand – once slated to be Golden Gate Estates East – is visible in the top right where canals in grid shape are easily identifiable. This is the area that will be reclaimed to wilderness and should help maintain regular salinity in nearby estuaries.

Much has been learned about “The River of Grass” since Douglas wrote the book in 1947, but the devastation to the Everglades had already begun. As people are beginning to understand the need for proper water flow throughout the Everglades and Florida as a whole, steps are constantly being taken to protect what is left of the anything but useless swamp.

It can be assumed that what took place at RBNERR on the Second Annual National Everglades Day would have certainly pleased Ms. Douglas. The public celebration that had been initially planned turned into an intimate gathering of some of the most influential law makers and heads of state and conservation societies along with a number of concerned citizens. All were there to not only recognize the special day, but to discuss the restoration of the Everglades, especially the Southwest portion.

Among the guest speakers of the day were Gary Lytton, Director of RBNERR, Florida Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart of District 25, Zach Zampella, Regional Director for Senator Marco Rubio, Collier County Commissioner Donna Fiala of District 1, Lisa Koehler, Administrator for the Big Cypress Basin, SFWMD, Brad Cornell of the Audubon of Florida and Captain Will Geraghty, a charter fisherman in Naples.

Brad Cornell led the day, introducing speakers such as Donna Fiala who Cornell described as, “one of the first leaders in Collier County to recognize the importance of participating in the Gulf Restore Act.”

Commissioner Fiala speaks as RBNERR Director Gary Lytton (left) and Florida Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart listen.

Ms. Fiala briefly spoke on her memories, recalling Rookery Bay when her children were young; bringing them out to see the birds and the habitat. “Of course it looks much different today, but this is a very special place for me,” she stated.

Lisa Koehler spoke next with some interesting words on the work going on in the western Everglades. In particular, Koehler discussed the work going on in Picayune Strand. Once slated to be “East Golden Gate Estates,” canals were dug and roads put in, but the development never took place. Since the 1960’s the land has been forever altered, misdirecting the natural flow of water through the Everglades. Lisa discussed a number of other projects in the works for the Big Cypress Basin, all which would consist of redirecting to balance the salinity of the many bays within our areas.

To understand more of the science behind the question of the importance of managing where and how fresh meets salt water in the area was Water Quality Program Manager Christina Panko Graff of RBNERR. After the speeches, all made their way out to the boardwalk where Panko Graff gave a demonstration on water salinity.

Christina Panko Graff describes RBNERR’s water testing within its estuaries.

“One of our main research projects is to study how canals and other water control structures that have been put in place due to urban development have effected the amount of freshwater that comes into our estuaries as well as when it comes into the estuaries. Because estuaries are where fresh and salt water meet, we can study this question pretty easily by monitoring how salty is the estuary.”

Using equipment that collects real-time data, RBNERR monitors a number of its estuarine bays to attempt to understand how and where the fresh water needs to flow.

“What our research has found is that in this Picayune Strand area and sort of below it, we have found sort of a “Goldilocks” effect where in this estuary here it’s getting too much fresh water at the wrong time, where this one is not getting enough at all, but this one here is ‘just right,’” explained Panko Graff, pointing to the specific locations on the map.

The Picayune Strand project should effect water flow to the areas Panko Graff explained which means that, “our data is going to be critical in determining the success of this large-scale restoration project.”

This one project alone demonstrates the necessity for the local, state and federal governments, private organizations, companies, land managers and fisheries to come together and work as one for the sake of the Everglades. The Picayune, the estuaries, the sawgrass, mangrove trees and big cypress knees are all a part of a master plan that once flowed and moved together.

And on April 6th, National Everglades Day, the thought and spirit of saving the Glades was alive, flowing between the people in the room like a tidal surge, giving hope to the thought that this once perfect treasure, now so damaged, may one day be healthy again.

Shark Valley Visitor Center will be offering a free guided tram ride through the Everglades for kids 8 to 12 years old as part of Junior Ranger Day on Saturday, April 6th. Seating is limited so call 305-242-7753 in advance for more information.

Chokoloskee Church of God celebrates its 100th Anniversary on Sunday, April 7th. Festivities will start at 10 AM and continue through 2 or 3 PM. A reception will be held in the banquet room at the Seafood Depot. The event will include horse and carriage rides by “Donna” of Naples. For more information, phone 239-695-3735.

April 7th is also a day to celebrate National Everglades Day with our annual bicycle ride sponsored by the Naples Pathways Coalition. Registration will start at 7:30 AM on Sunday morning at McLeod Park on the Circle. There will be opportunities for every rider: a 16-mile “smooth” ride (starts at 9 AM), a 27-mile on and off-road ride up to and through James Scenic Drive in the Fakahatchee Strand (starts at 9 AM) and a 62-mile ride (starts at 8 AM). All of these options may be customized for a shorter or longer bike ride. The route maps, food and drinks are included in the registration fee, as well as entrance fee to the historic Smallwood Store. For more information, visit www.naplespathways.org and click on “Stay & Play Everglades Ride” on the left side of the home page or call Patty Huff at 239-695-2397.

The following weekend on Sunday, April 14th, the Friends of the Fakahatchee will host a dinner/talk with guest speaker Jeff Klinkenberg, the author whose entertaining articles about unusual people and places appear in the St. Petersburg Times. Reservations are required; call 239-695-2905 or see www.orchidswamp.org.

About The Author

Patricia Huff has lived in Everglades City for the past 18 years and is the Publisher of the local newspaper The Mullet Rapper. To learn more about events and activities in the Everglades City area, visit website www.evergladesmulletrapper.com 

“This is something new we are doing,” explains Stephanie Kissinger of Waste Management’s Public Sector Solutions. “We are basing this off of Waste Management Corporate’s sponsorship of the WM Phoenix Open. Last year they really ramped up efforts to have a zero waste event and they diverted 97 percent of [recyclable] materials out of the waste stream. This year they brought it up to 99 percent. So we are, in a way, piggy backing off that idea.”

Local WM has even more incentive to go greener. “Collier County and the state of Florida are under the gun to try and meet the state’s mandate for recycling, which is a goal of 75 percent of all waste to be diverted to recycling,” explains Cyndee Woolley of WM’s Public Relations Sector.

In order to help attain this goal, WM has planned to participate in three large public events within the county to help teach recycling awareness and proper techniques. This year, WM first partnered with the Ace Group Classic Golf Tournament at Twin Eagles. “Our goal was to divert 30,000 pounds of garbage from the landfill,” states Kissinger.

“We managed to take them from zero recycling to 55 percent recycling,” adds Woolley.

WM will also be at the Collier County Fair and Expo, talking trash – and recycling – from March 14th through the 24th. That last weekend will be especially busy as they also take on the Marco Island Seafood Festival on the 23rd and 24th.

“We are so fortunate with the Marco Island Seafood Festival because they already have recycling measures in place. We are really coming in to help refine what they’ve already done,” explains Woolley. WM will be setting up recycling stations with pictorials that, “help remind people of what they should recycle. Sometimes at events like this, people are distracted and they just don’t think to recycle. Working with large events is just a great way for us to capture additional recyclables that would otherwise go to the landfill.”

Food vendors will also get a lesson in recycling because they, “have the potential to create the most recyclables. By doing a pre-event orientation with them, we can teach them what local ordinances are in place,” states Woolley.

By diverting large amounts of recycling out of the waste stream, the Collier County landfill will, in turn, have a longer life span. In fact, “in 2007, we reclaimed a couple of cells [in the landfill] and all that material was recyclable,” explains Linda Best of Collier County’s Solid Waste Division. This added an extra 35 acres of landfill space. “Through recycling initiatives and managing the operations of the landfill, we’ve increased its life expectancy to about 2062, and in 2002, it only had two years left.”

Waste Management has a long-term lease with the county to manage the landfill. Workers sort through trash to pull out recyclable material at the landfill and workers also sort through recyclables at Delta Recycling Facility on Shirley Street in Naples, separating out the garbage. This shows WM’s dedication to recycling but also lends large proof that the public is uninformed when it comes to proper recycling.

“My team does education and outreach to the community,” states Best. “We give presentations; we teach in the schools; we are always out and about.” The county has many pamphlets and magnets that it offers free to the public at outreach events.

Even still, the average citizen is usually surprised to learn that things such as polystyrene (styrofoam) or a greasy, cheese covered pizza box are not recyclable. The first step is correctly identifying what can and can’t be recycled. This is Waste Management’s greatest goal during the Marco Island Seafood Festival.

Other little known recycling tips include not tying up your recyclables into a plastic bag. Throw your cans, bottles, newspapers, etc. into your bin completely loose. This saves time as workers at Delta Recycling don’t have to rip the bags open. Another tip – recycle your plastic grocery store bags at the store you got them from. Single plastic bags wreak havoc on conveyor belt systems in the recycling world. Save up your bags and drop them in the designated area the next time you take a trip to Publix or Winn Dixie. And one more tip – since recyclables need to be relatively clean, they don’t start to rot and stink like garbage. So, if your recycling container isn’t full and you have room to wait another week, then do. This saves time and gas for Waste Management.

But why should you care about making Waste Management’s job easier? Because you will end up saving them money – lots of money – and this will reflect in how much they charge the county to pick up your waste, thus, lowering your taxes and saving the planet at the same time. Talk about a win-win.

“Waste Management has really embraced recycling and it’s such an incredible market.” adds Best. “We (the county) do waste audits to make sure residents are recycling correctly. Then, they can actually reduce their waste stream and get a smaller garbage toter, which saves money in the long run.”

“Recycling is actually a commodity,” explains Woolley. “When we divert plastic bottles and aluminum cans, they are stored to be processed and sold. Some days we make more money than others. But from a commercial standpoint, it’s actually cheaper for businesses to recycle more. We actually have customers saving up to 20 percent off their bill  because when they install a single stream recycling collection container (toter) along with their waste container because they end up reducing the size of their waste container. The numbers can be very significant; we’ve had one of our major clients save $44,000 in their annual waste collection bill.”

While the savings in money is extraordinary, the bottom line for Waste Management and the Marco Island Seafood Festival is to be more environmentally conscious. Living on an island, the environment is so important to us,” adds Dianna Dohm, PR Chair for the Seafood Festival. “Anything we can do to educate our islanders is something that is important to us. With the amount of visitors that we have to the Seafood Festival, it just gives us a great opportunity. We are just so fortunate to have Waste Management join us this year.”

To learn more about proper recycling techniques and Waste Management’s green initiative, visit www.thinkgreen.com. Learn more about this year’s Marco Island Seafood Festival at www.marcoislandseafoodfestival.com.

About The Author

Natalie Strom has lived in Goodland for over two years and has worked in Goodland on and off for more than five years. She is a graduate of the University of Iowa and is also a former Buzzard Queen of Stan’s Idle Hour in Goodland. email: natalie@coastalbreezenews.com

Last Monday’s Marco Island City Council meeting was a tale of two of councils. While the meeting was marked by decisive acceptance of a $500,000 grant to create artificial reefs, it also was mired in confusion over City Manager James Riviere’s performance evaluation.

Early in the evening, the council unanimously adopted a $500,000 grant from BP’s Gulf Tourism and Seafood Promotional Fund. The grant money will be mingled with similar BP grants awarded to the city of Naples and Collier County to fund a system of 36 artificial reefs planned to stretch along the southwest Florida coastline from northern Collier County to Marco Island. Each entity will be home to 12 reefs, with Marco Island’s reefs being planned for 12 miles and 25 miles off shore.

In all, BP awarded the three governmental entities $1.35 million.

“This will improve our fisheries, provide habitat, increase our fishing and diving options, boost tourism. We are creating a stable reef system that will go on in perpetuity, explains Nancy Richie, the city’s environmental specialist. Richie has spearheaded the city’s grant-writing effort and has represented Marco Island throughout the planning of the project.

During the meeting, Naples attorney Peter Flood, the mastermind behind the reef project, gave a presentation to the city council outlining the reef program’s master plan, its private-public funding partnership and the projected economic impact for the region. He emphasized that although the project’s price tag is $3.8 million no public funds will be used to make the artificial reef systems a reality.

Instead, a number of entities have already offered materials for reef construction, and private funds will be raised through a naming rights campaign for each of the 36 individual reefs. Through an alliance with the Community Foundation, private citizens can donate $55,000 to have one of the reefs named after them.

“(This) is a win for the ecosystem, and a win for our economy,” Flood told city councilors during the meeting. “This project will be funded by a mix of the grant money and private donor funds. It is very important to note that the goal is to not use any additional public funds and not to incur any additional financial pressures on any of the entities involved.”

The public certainly will benefit from the project though. According to a 2011 study by Florida Sea Grant and the University of Florida, artificial reef programs in Lee County bring in 1,350 people daily and created 575 new jobs. More importantly, the program leaves a $60 million annual economic footprint in Lee County. Conservative estimates indicate the Collier County-Naples-Marco Island proposed artificial reef system would provide a more than $30 million return on investment over time.

Flood concluded his presentation by telling the city council that the program has all of the material to get going. It is all over but the permitting and private funding at this point. “I think we can do it. I think it is going to get done. I am excited,” he noted.

The meeting took a very confusing turn about an hour later when the council began discussing the performance review for City Manager Riviere. Although the city currently has no generally accepted, formal method of evaluating the performance of its employees, this was the third time in less than a year Riviere had requested the council evaluate his work.

The results were all over the map, ranging from “average” to “outstanding.” While some council members felt Riviere’s two years of budget surpluses and departmental restructuring marked his tenure as a success, others felt his lack of credentials as a professional city manager and communication issues were signs that the city needs to embark on a search for a new city manager.

After close to an hour of discussion and oral evaluations by the city council members, all that was decided was not to give Riviere a two percent pay raise. City Council Chairman Joe Batte best summed up the palpable frustration in the council chambers.

“I am puzzled as to exactly what the hell we are doing here tonight,” stated Batte. We were to give an answer to whether supportive or not supportive, and here is what I have heard. I have no vote on this matter. I think he is average, I support him. So, I am really confused as to what we are doing. As an employee of this city, this man’s deserves more. He deserves firm answers.”

“Do you want him or don’t you want him. If you don’t want him, state why, but we are not doing that. We are kind of worming around the whole idea.”

The Marco Island Woman’s Club was founded in 1966, and has always taken pride in its goal to serve the community. Current work includes providing educational scholarships for Marco Island students. The Woman’s Club also founded the Marco Island Public Library, funded the gazebo at the Marco Island Historical Museum, donated funds to the Marco Health Care Center and Naples Community Hospital, among many other philanthropic ventures.

Photo by Mila Bridger

The Annual Luncheon and Fashion Show began with a beautiful luncheon of a watermelon salad, sliced chicken medallions stuffed with grilled asparagus, smoked gouda and harvest vegetables served with a white wine sauce and a rice medley. A decadent chocolate layer cake was served for dessert.

And then came the models. Eight in all, each modeled three outfits provided by Dillard’s. Sal Soldano, the only man in the group, insisted to be treated with the same courtesy as the ladies – taking the hand of the gentlemen ushering the models off the stage.

Makeup for the models (except for Sal) was provided by Chanel.

Over 50 local businesses contributed to raffle and door prizes. Blue Mangrove Gallery, CJ’s on the Bay, Davide Italian Cafe, Harbor Goldsmith, Hilton Marco Island, Keep in Touch, Kretch’s Restaurant, Little Bar Restaurant in Goodland, Bistro Soleil, Davinci’s, Cafe de Marco, La Miranda Spa, Mango’s Dockside Bistro, Physicians Regional Hospital and Su’s Garden Chinese Restaurant, to name a few, donated to the charitable cause.

The models and those in the audience had a wonderful time, laughing, eating, drinking and enjoying each other and the fashions – all in the name of scholarships for Marco’s children.

About The Author

Natalie Strom has lived in Goodland for over two years and has worked in Goodland on and off for more than five years. She is a graduate of the University of Iowa and is also a former Buzzard Queen of Stan’s Idle Hour in Goodland. email: natalie@coastalbreezenews.com

It is no secret working families have been tormented by a stormy economy in recent years.

According to the US Census Bureau, 10.4 million families — nearly one-third of all working families in the US — probably did not make enough money to cover their basic needs in 2011. In Florida, that amounted to 642,000 working families, or 37 percent of the state’s hardworking households. That means a family of four bringing in nearly $46,000 a year still struggled to feed and clothe itself.

“Collier County and Marco Island are not immune,” says Steve Sanderson, Chief Executive Officer of United Way of Collier County. “We have a lot of working poor in this area. Many are one paycheck away from a disastrous situation.”

Enter the Island Country Club Charitable Foundation. Since 2000, the foundation has been a beacon of hope and help for many working families in need on Marco Island. In fact, through its annual golf tournament, the foundation has raised and donated more than $1.1 million to local charities, including Marco Island Healthcare Center, Greater Marco Family YMCA, The Joy of Giving, Habitat for Humanity, Marco Island Charter Middle School and The Shelter for Abused Women and Children.

“This community is a small reflection of Collier County,” explains Wesley Blackwell, the foundation’s chairman of the board. “There is a great deal of wealth, but a great deal of need exists as well.”

Charitable beginnings – The foundation is an offshoot of the Gene Sarazen Foundation, which helped fund the construction of the Marco Healthcare Center with an annual golf tournament at Island Country Club. Sarazen was the club’s storied golf pro from 1981 to 1999.

Upon his passing in 1999, it was decided the foundation would expand, giving rise to the Island Country Club Charitable Foundation. Founders of the foundation included Blackwell, Jack Skoog, Bill Roth, John Hoey and George Tomlinson.

“We felt we should contribute to the community,” says Blackwell. “There is a perception of a country club as elitist and private, and this has been good for the community and the club. It has become a vehicle for club members to give back.”

Today, the foundation and its annual golf tournament are managed by a six-person board of directors, two officers and a six-person advisory committee. Current board members include Blackwell, Bob Furek, Scot Kaufman, Carolee Levison, Chuck Riter and Byron Farrell. The foundation’s officers are Robert Mehmet and Patricia DiComo, and the advisory committee is composed of Craig Carlson, Bob Doretti, Karen Blackwell, Brenda Rhinehart, Corinne Sloan and Ron Rutledge.

Giving to those in need – To date, some 18 charities — and countless families — have benefited from the foundation’s work. Charities seeking funds from the foundation must complete a grant application and submit it to the board for approval.

Take Nicki Davis and The Joy of Giving, a 25-year-old Marco Island-based charity that helps families with gift purchases during the holiday season. Last year, The Joy of Giving raised $80,000 for local families, half of which came from the foundation along with a truckload of turkeys for Christmas dinner.

“The Island Country Club is The Joy of Giving,” Davis gushes. “They don’t just raise the money. The charity is part of them — heart and soul. They man our registers and hand out the turkeys. They show up and work with us.”

According to Mary Ann Green, development and public relations officer for The Shelter for Abused Women and Children in Naples, the foundation has helped with the shelter’s capital campaign, funding the most difficult expenses, “from purchasing computer equipment, lockers for our emergency shelter and upgrading our security system and computer server to new appliances for our emergency shelter and four transitional housing units.

“Their financial support is crucial. It allows [The Shelter] to focus on providing vital programs and services to victims of domestic violence, instead of redirecting funds to support the kinds of operating expenses, necessary equipment and upgrades mentioned above,” says Green.

A future of giving – Many in the nonprofit world agree that local grassroots community groups like the Island Country Club Charitable Foundation will continue to be crucial funding resources for charities helping working families in the future.

“Many nonprofits face challenges today to raising funds like they have in the past,” explains the United Way’s Sanderson. “[These local groups] are very important organizations doing great things at a grassroots level…They help to create a heathy community by recognizing the community need and taking care of it on their own.”

Moreover, notes The Shelter’s Green, group’s like the foundation provide more than just financial assistance. “They generate awareness about the charities they are supporting through the marketing of their annual golf tournament which helps spread the word while also raising funds.”

For Cindy Love, Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Marco Family YMCA, it goes back to the foundation’s basic mission: helping those in need. Funds from the foundation’s golf tournament help the Y provide financial assistance to families in its preschool program.

“We may be an affluent community, but not everyone living in our community is affluent,” Love says. “Some of what [the foundation] does is about whether a child can have a meal or a Christmas gift or be in a safe environment. The foundation is more than important; it is critical.”

From the beginning of boating, mariners have brought their boats before a pastor, priest or minister in a ceremony of blessing, so they would have a good season of favorable seas, profitable voyage and a safe return to port.

The Marco Island Strummers played the National Anthem, the canon roared and a Nautical Music welcome to each vessel was sounded as well as special requests for each presentation. After all vessels were blessed, the MIYC Chef Bob Alywin announced it was time to eat. A buffet of bounty nourished all, fellowship with members, family and guests was exemplary. Thanks to all who participated and observed.

Additional activities this year include: music and games by Mobile Sound Entertainment, a Marco Magic Cheerleader demonstration at 10:30 AM, Magic by John, face painting, five different inflatable games, train rides from Knights of Columbus, youth sailing rides by Marco Island Community Sailing Center, a dunk tank by Kiwanis Kids of Marco, concessions by Marco Island Optimist Club, Easter holiday games, sand art, and a guest appearance by the Easter Bunny with Professional Photographs by Marco Island Image Design.

Parks and Recreation is currently looking for volunteers to help out during the event with games, crafts and the distribution of Easter eggs. If you are interested in helping out this year please call Mindy Gordon at 239-389-5032.

A special thanks goes out to the Marco Island Senior Softball League for their help in this year’s Easter egg hunt.

For further information about the Spring Jubilee, please call Marco Island Parks and Recreation at 239-642-0575 or online at www.cityofmarcoisland.com and click on the parks and recreation link.

The whole thing started when, “a couple of us here have had bouts with cancer and we’ve always wanted to give something back,” explains Gary Landis of the POI Gun Club and one of the founding members of the event. “If you think about it, I’m 70 years old, so I’ve been to my high school prom, I’ve graduated from college, I’ve raised a family. Kids that get cancer may not ever get the chance to do those things and it just seems very unfair.”

And so, for the past two years, monies raised by the “Shoot Down Kids Cancer” event have gone to R.O.C.K. which stands for Reaching out to Cancer Kids. According to Landis, R.O.C.K. not only sends children with cancer to special camps, but also conducts critical cancer research. “It’s nice to send kids to camp, but it would be even better to find a cure,” he explains. The money raised is filtered through the local Marco Island Chapter of the American Cancer Society.

The Charity Sporting Clays Event is just that. Teams of four buy in at $1,000 to shoot over 100 clay discs at 14 different stations. Each station is sponsored by a different company, such as Stanley Steemer, which has been a sponsor every year.

The day continues with great food and great live music. The country band, One Night Rodeo, will perform throughout the day. There will also be a live and silent auction.

Port of the Islands Gun Club has been in business for 47 years and has many members who come out to shoot on a weekly or even daily basis. The notoriety of the club is what makes the event so successful. This year, owner Dennis Gasaway, expects up to 50 teams to participate.

Sponsors also line up to support the “Shoot Down Kids Cancer” fundraiser. Hemmer Construction, Insurance Solutions, Berquist Gunsmithing, Cole Gunsmithing, Bass Pro Shops, LouLand Shooting Range, Muller Chokes, Stanley Steemer and Quail Creek Plantation are some of the sponsors this year but stand out as each company has sponsored the event every year.

Fifty participants? Why not make it 60? Call now with your team of four. Pick a fun name for your team and shoot some clays for a good cause. For information or to sign up, call the American Cancer Society at 239-642-8800 ext 3890 or Gary Landis at 239-394-2080.

About The Author

Natalie Strom has lived in Goodland for over two years and has worked in Goodland on and off for more than five years. She is a graduate of the University of Iowa and is also a former Buzzard Queen of Stan’s Idle Hour in Goodland. email: natalie@coastalbreezenews.com

What a fun filled month February was! There were so many things to do on Marco Island there was hardly a minute to spare! Coming up is the St.Paddy’s Day Parade at 1PM on Sunday, March 10th. Our wonderful Father Tim will be the Parade’s Grand Marshal. As always, our Irish “princess” Kathleen Reynolds is organizing the parade sponsored by the Sons & Daughters of Erin. Kathleen has so much dedication and enthusiasm over everything Irish that it makes this German/Hungarian woman (that’s me) want to be part Irish! The party actually starts on Saturday at 10AM at Veteran’s Park and continues on Sunday while the parade is going on. There will be hot dogs and hamburgers for sale, along with lots of fun, booths and activities. Why not plan on coming both days?

Saturday was another St. Paddy’s Day event – a Dinner/Dance at San Marco Catholic Church. At the very same time was the Viva La Marco event at Rose History Auditorium. I tried to split myself in two and get to both of them, and it kind of worked. The first event I stopped into was the fun, festive Viva La Marco. Actors were dressed in period clothing, portraying the pioneers of early Collier County. The food was plentiful at this well attended event, and the guests were dressed to the nines! The Museum and Historical Society are becoming the place to be! Then on to San Marco Catholic Church where all Irish and those who love the Irish (and there are plenty of us, believe me) were enjoying the food, provided by Kretch’s, and the wonderful music. People danced all evening. It was truly a fun party!

Well, it’s true! Outback is coming our way soon and will join its sister-restaurant Carrabba’s off the East Trail. Carrabba’s is on one side of Triangle Blvd. and Outback will be on the other side, behind Chase Bank in front of the small lake. No, I do not have a target date yet for their construction, but as soon as I do I’ll let you know. Since they have already signed the papers, I would imagine they would want to start building right after season so they can open for next season, but that is only a guess.

The Arlington, the new Continuum of Care, VERY upscale retirement community located in Lely Resort, plans to start building in June. They are nearly 75% sold out! It is going to be one of the most outstanding facilities in the country, built by the Lutheran Life Ministries, and will serve all faiths.

Just a reminder: the Fresh Market adjusted their actual construction date from January to April, with a planned opening in October. That really makes more sense than opening in April when people start heading back up North. They will be rebuilding the old grocery store (which was split in half) next to Staples.

Things are coming our way Folks! We’ve waited a long time, but here they come! Construction is going hot and heavy, with the East Naples area gaining much of it. Treviso Bay sold 130 homes last year – more than they had built, so they are building like crazy to catch up to their sales, plus building more for new orders. Fiddler’s Creek, Copper Cove and Reflection Lakes are also building and selling more than they can keep up with.

Meanwhile, the Isles of Collier Preserve, located between U.S. 41 E and Thomasson/Rattlesnake Hammock Rd. is quickly making way for the infrastructure to be constructed for their 1600 unit development. There will also be 12 acres of retail shops built.

Two other developments in East Naples are being constructed. One is on Collier Boulevard across from Rattlesnake Hammock Rd. and it is called Hacienda Lakes, 1731 units and 325,000 sq. ft of retail. Finally, on U.S. 41 E behind Reflection Lakes the new development of Naples Reserve is about to start clearing land for 1100 units.

We are in the right place to see progress! After the recession, this is great news! People are back to work, construction is going strong, and we are about to see a tired area become alive! We are now seeing building activity around the 2002-2003 levels! We averaged about 9,000 inspections a month in 2012 and just over 12,000 this January! February figures are not yet in.

I recently had an unusual visitor. It just dropped by to see me and, using powers of deduction I developed by reading all of the Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, I concluded that it was from another planet. The fact that it was green and that it had only three fingers on each hand like a cartoon character were hints.  What confirmed that it was otherworldly was it was wearing a double knit “leisure suit” with a shirt collar hanging over the lapels. “Aha,” I thought, “Only someone from outer space would still wear one of those outfits.” My reasoning was correct.

The visitor was amiable, gentle and curious. It came from some planet where young males went forth on voyages of discovery and my guest was selected to learn about our society. He spoke a form of Olde English, and we were able to communicate fairly well. His name does not translate easily, and the closest we could come was “Harvey.” Why did Harvey choose to visit me? Apparently upon landing on Earth after a long and tedious journey (long enough to explain the leisure suit) he was fortunate enough to be on Marco Island where he picked up a copy of the Coastal Breeze. He read it cover-to-cover, and was interested in a column I wrote about a new Calusa discovery. Since satire is unknown on Harvey’s planet, he took the story literally. He believed it completely, never understanding the intended satire. Because he was not familiar with the history of our world he did not get that the two “archeologists” in the column were really the names of the Frenchmen who found the Rosetta Stone and solved it. He figured that I could give him a lot of good material about Earth creatures, and I was so flattered I never told him how little I know.

Harvey didn’t care about any of the stuff about the Calusas. He was curious about the things that mattered to Earthlings now, and he decided that watching television, particularly the Super Bowl, would furnish a ton of information. Harvey was extremely interested about two things in the broadcast: (1) why gigantic Earthlings, clad in armor, ran into each other for 60 minutes in an attempt to kill each other and, (2) what were those important things in the announcements (commercials) that kept interrupting the slaughter.

I explained that what he saw was a game – a sport. Harvey had read some Earth history, and he instantly comprehended my explanation. He said, “Ah, verily, like the ancient Romans in the arena. I believe they were called gladiators.” “Something like that,” I replied, “Only our athletes actually get paid huge sums of money to get into the arena, and it is a most desirable profession for young males.” He was a bit puzzled. “You mean they aren’t slaves?” he asked. “Well” I tried to explain, “Some people believe that they are slaves of the owners of the teams, but they are actually free to leave. Also the owners set them free when they aren’t performing very well”.

“About those announcements every two or three minutes,” Harvey said. “I suppose they are to remind citizens about utilizing their funds to improve their lives?”

“Those interruptions are called ‘commercials,’” I explained. “Businesses pay for those announcements so that the game can be played and shown on television.”

“Oh, I comprehend,” said Harvey. “So the viewers purchase the very important things that are essential to their lives. They must consume enormous quantities of those beverages called beer, Pepsi Cola and Coca Cola, and buy a lot of automobile insurance for all those cars they need. Earthlings must also use a lot of that toilet paper stuff and take a lot of medicine. Of course, the people watching in the arena do not have to pay any of their ducats to attend since the interruptions cost so much.”

“No,” I explained. “The people in the arena pay enormous sums to see the game.” Harvey scratched his bald head and blinked his one eye in confusion. “Thank you for the information. I think I’ll have to study a lot before I return home.  I can tell there’s a lot I do not comprehend about Earthlings.”

“You are quite welcome, Harvey.” I’m sorry I couldn’t help more. I suggest that you don’t study the books about ‘Fifty Shades’ of anything. You might get a distorted view of Earthling behavior. Oh, and by the way, I’m very happy you did not study our society during the presidential campaign. If you did you couldn’t possibly understand anything about us.”

By Roy Eaton

There is no doubt that our immigration policy has been a complete disaster. It is estimated that over the last several decades, between 7 and 20 million immigrants have entered our country illegally, although 10 million is the most widely accepted estimate. Ironically, several of the most vocal among us, who express utter contempt for their presence and wish to immediately expel undocumented individuals from our shores, are often the same ones who looked away when immigrants crossed our borders, because they were in need of their services. Neither political party can escape blame as well, for members among both parties sought to either enhance their electoral base, or reap the benefits of cheap labor.

It is ludicrous and unjust to think that we can expel over 10 million inhabitants, most of whom have families and deep roots within society. Nor can we continue to ignore the fact that at least 10 million people have broken the law that has, for centuries, been followed by immigrants who also sought opportunity and refuge in our great nation, but selected the legal path to citizenship. Our immigration laws were constructed to allow an orderly entrance into America, which included preventing criminals from entering our borders and the means and time for immigrants to learn our language, history, and culture and to assimilate into society. Many believe this massive circumvention of law has strained our judicial and penal systems, has deprived the government of billions of dollars in payroll and income taxes, has strained our healthcare system, and has dire economic and social ramifications yet to be fully realized. Americans are divided on the subject. Some want all immigrants to follow the due course to citizenship, while others believe violators should be deported to their native lands. But, there is a growing number of Americans who believe that immigration reform is required to properly address the non-citizen issue in order to expeditiously direct undocumented individuals toward a simpler, less intimidating path to citizenship, which will allow their wholehearted assimilation into our general population. Before this can occur, most Americans agree that in order to prevent such a mass influx from occurring in the future, government must secure our borders and strictly control migration from foreign lands.

Before I address the issue of immigration reform, I wish to direct attention to a few of the facts and myths pertaining to undocumented immigrants living within our borders. Many Americans believe that those who have entered our country illegally pay no taxes. This is incorrect for a vast majority pay consumer taxes such as sales taxes and property taxes, and between 50-60 percent have payroll taxes deducted from their pay checks. Collectively, undocumented immigrants have contributed over 7 billion to Social Security, even though they are not eligible to collect benefits. It is a general misconception that the majority of undocumented immigrants cannot speak English, for 67% speak our language fluently. It is also a mistaken belief that those who have entered our country illegally make up the greatest percent of incarcerated criminals, because according to the National Institute of Corrections, native residents make up the greatest percent of our prison population. Most Americans believe that nearly all undocumented immigrants are of Mexican heritage. Although they represent the fastest growing segment in our population, only 57% of undocumented immigrants are of Mexican heritage.

During prosperous times, migration from foreign lands is driven by employer demand as people follow the jobs and travel to America, the “land of opportunity.” While economic expansion attracts, periods of economic contraction can slow immigration. It is not unusual to see migrations from specific geographic areas such as those which occurred from Europe during the 19th Century, or from particular countries like Ireland after the “Great Potato Famine” of 1845, when a potato blight destroyed their staple food crop, from China during 1865-1869 to work on our Transcontinental Railroad, and from South Vietnam and Cuba during the last half of the 20th century to escape communist rule and persecution. Because of our shared boundary, America’s previous housing boom, split families living on opposite sides of the border, deplorable living conditions, and drug cartel violence, it is not difficult to understand why such a massive migration from Mexico took place during the latter part of the 20th century and first decade of the 21st century.

I am not condoning illegal entry, but rather trying to explain the aberration that occurred, especially from 2000-2005 when 8 million people migrated to America, 3.7 million of whom entered illegally, a number far greater than during any 5 year period of time in our history. Although the vast majority of undocumented entrees were from Mexico, large percentages were from Brazil and India.

The United States has been accused, by some nations, of being prejudicial and anti- immigration, which is ironic since America was colonized by immigrants, and in 2006 alone, America accepted more legal migrants than the remaining countries of the world combined. The problems that most Americans have with massive, unrestricted, illegal migrations are real and understandable. Such unplanned influxes lead to concentration of settlements, which burdens our schools and educational budgets, strains community resources and infrastructures, and taxes emergency care centers. It also disrupts our voting processes, and poses serious concerns pertaining to social behavior and crime.

Suggested Immigration Reforms

What must be done to reform illegal immigration is fivefold. First, we must take control of our borders. If we cannot screen and restrict who enters our country, than there is no need to further address the problem, because illegal immigration will remain a rampant, unmanageable problem. Secondly, we must address the path to citizenship for those living within our borders. If undocumented immigrants fear disclosure, they will remain in the shadows, continuing to derive income from unrecorded sources, while failing to properly integrate into society. Thirdly, we must do thorough background checks and expel those who have felonious criminal records. Fourthly, we must economically punish employers who hire undocumented workers. Lastly, we must levy sanctions against countries that attempt to deport felonious citizens to our shores, refuse to abide by our laws of immigration, and fail to readily support our deportation of those who either entered our country illegally or have committed violent crimes while awaiting the granting of U.S. citizenship.

It is estimated that the nautical coastline of America’s 50 states is 12,383 miles. The combined land borders with Mexico and Canada, excluding Alaska, is approximately 3,471 miles, for a total border length of 15,854 miles. The number of U.S. border agents is 21,441, or roughly 1 per 2.2 miles per shift if evenly distributed. But, eighty-six percent of the total force is located on our southern border, leaving 3002 agents to cover 13,921 miles, or one agent per 13.9 miles if evenly distributed per shift. In a post 9/11 age when our country endures immigration surge and escalating terrorists threats from abroad, it is obvious that additional manpower is needed to curb unlawful immigration and reduce the threat of a terrorist attack. Our country has withdrawn from Iraq and is in the process of withdrawing from Afghanistan. In 2012, the unemployment rate for returning troops departing from active duty was approximately 13%. Many of these veterans are deactivated national guardsmen who could be assigned to border patrol, which would firm up security, dramatically reduce illegitimate immigration, and lower unemployment.

By executive action, President Obama recently put in place a stop-gap measure which allows illegal immigrants under the age of 30, who have no criminal records, came to this country before the age of 16, are students, or have completed high school, or are vets in good standing, to remain in the country. This is a start, but does not address the remaining members of the families who wish to stay, but live in fear of deportation

To fulfill citizenship requirements, our President and Congress must devise a fast-track method to facilitate and expedite the naturalization process so families can live without fear, and qualified applicants can be properly integrated into our society with an understanding of our culture and history, and a mastering of our language. Comprehensive integration will eliminate the shadow economy that circumvents fair wages and minimizes the chances of securing a decent standard of living and a higher level of education, prerequisites for a human being to develop a sense of security, an enhancement in social standing, and the development of a sense of national pride, requirements for a person to be a productive member of society. In the long term, proper assimilation will reduce the need for Medicaid and increase contributions to our tax base, and to our Social Security, Medicare, and universal health care systems. It will also permit those who have paid payroll taxes to qualify for benefits such as Medicare and Social Security as long as they can prove that they have filed and paid income tax on all prior earnings. It should also include a provision to allow those who have not done so to be given the opportunity to pay back-taxes on unreported income. And, it should provide a provision for allowing the elderly and those with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease to be exempt from restrictive language mastering requirements.

We cannot allow those who have entered our country legally to be by-passed for following the accepted path. Legal and undocumented immigrants without a criminal record should be required, within a three month period, to petition the Federal Government for a Pending Naturalization Certificate. If the background check is clear of felonious conviction here and abroad, a certificate will be issued. Failure to file a petition or disclose a felony conviction will result in the immediate removal of the applicant from our academic systems and from any local, state, and federal assistance programs. Vehicle and professional licenses will be nullified, and proceedings will be expedited to deport felons and non-participating, undocumented immigrants from our borders. Any applicant who is convicted of a felony during the naturalization process will also face immediate deportation.

Applicants who participate in this program will be allowed to remain in school and in any government assistance program in which they are currently enrolled. Under this program, all immigrants will be allowed to seek employment and apply for vehicle and professional licenses, and will be eligible for accelerated citizenship, a one time exception to naturalize those who desire to make America their home.

Unlike the Immigration Reform Bill of 1986 when Congress stripped many of the strong sanctions against employers who hired undocumented immigrants, this legislation must fully address the issue of employment. Employers should be granted three months to check and verify documentation of workers, but will be permitted to hire and keep immigrants who show they have petitioned and been accepted for this accelerated path to naturalization. Employers will receive a one time tax credit based on the number of employees to offset administrative costs incurred during this period of verification. Any employer who cannot show valid documentation after three months will be fined $25,000 for each invalid worker for the first fine, and $50,000 per worker thereafter. The one exception to this rule will apply to hiring talent from abroad in highly technical areas with proven shortages of qualified applicants. Provisional work permits will be granted to employees as long as these workers abide by our laws and receive pay equal to that of their American counterpart.

Applicants failing to gain citizenship through this fast-tracked program will be deported and will not be issued another Pending Naturalization Certificate. Individuals who immigrate from this date forward will not be eligible for a Pending Certificate or the augmented program.

It is not unprecedented to either grant amnesty or invoke exceptions to our Immigration policy. In 1986 President Reagan introduced the Immigration Reform Bill that granted amnesty to 3 million illegal immigrants who entered America before 1982. In the latter half of the 20th century, put in harm’s way by our nation’s political actions, Vietnamese and Cuban immigrants escaping Communist rule and persecution fled to our shores and were rightfully granted refugee status and asylum.

In a 1984 debate with Senator Mondale, President Reagan said of illegal immigrants living within the United States, “I believe in the idea of amnesty for those who have put down roots and lived here, even though sometime back they may have entered illegally.”

Although the current number of undocumented people living within our borders is estimated to be at least four times the number in 1984 and their conditions for migration different, the issue is the same. However, it is highly unlikely that Congress will approve an unqualified amnesty, for it alone will not rectify the complex problems associated with naturalizing and integrating 10 million plus immigrants into a population of over 300 million people, which is precisely why the need exists to reform the process.

Bill Clinton said “America has constantly drawn strength from wave after wave of immigrants. They have proven to be the most restless, the most adventurous, the most innovative, and the most industrious.” Yes, time has come to introduce meaningful and enforceable immigration reforms that will prevent mass incursions across our borders, deport non-naturalized criminals from our shores, and discourage undesirable migrants from entering our country. But, equally important is the need to formulate a policy that will encourage and allow those who have toiled our land and worked in our factories, raised families and developed deep roots within their communities, enhanced their education and social standing and have a burning desire to make America their acknowledged home, to come forth from the shadows with no fear of reprisal. In doing so, we unify our people, strengthen our economy, and show the nations of the world that the United States continues to be a beacon to those who possess the commendable qualities that have made our country an admired and enviable nation.

Summary to Follow in the Next Issue

I grew up on the European side of the City.  The Asian side was known to us who lived on the European side as the “other side.”  To us, the other side was almost like another country; a place where you had to go only if you “had to go” and a place we could see in the distance every day but had no idea what it was like to be there. I remember very clearly that some of our relatives lived in small neighborhoods on “the other side.” Our occasional Sunday family visits to these relatives’ homes were small adventures on their own.  There were no bridges or tunnels connecting the two sides of the Bosphorus and visiting aunts, cousins and various other relatives whose relationship to us were unknown to us as kids meant piling into our sky-blue 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air and drive down to the “ferry boat” landing and lining up behind hundreds of cars and trucks to wait for the car ferry to take us across to the “other side.” The car ferry was called “arabali vapur” which meant “boat with cars.” Some of these ships were converted troop carriers from WW II; some were locally built for the occasion. The locally built ships were two sided; you drove in forwards and drove out the same way. The converted ships only had one ramp. If you drove in forwards, you had to leave the ship in reverse.  My mother, not trusting this maneuver would take my sister and me by the hand and walk us out over the safety of the pedestrian plank as my father eased the car backwards onto shore. Then it was a long drive through cobblestone streets squeezed between old wooden houses that dated back to the glory days of the Ottoman Empire when they were occupied by members of the “palace” as their summer homes. Going back home after the visit was always the worst part of the adventure.  After a whole day of running around, visiting, eating and eating some more; we would start for home late in the evening and it would be dark by the time we got to the ferry station.  There would be lines of trucks carrying all kinds of farm products from Anatolia to Istanbul crowding the station. By the time we got on for the ride back home, my sister and I would be fast asleep.

This all changed in 1973 when the first “Bosphorus Bridge “ the fourth longest suspension bridge span at the time and the longest outside the USA was built, connecting Europe and Asia for vehicular traffic. The romance and adventure of crossing the Bosphorus on a car-ferry was gone forever along with a whole lot of other social activities which kept us busy during family weekends.

Then in 1988 the second Bosphorus Bridge was built and aptly named “Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge” named after 15th Century Ottoman Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror who took Constantinople (Istanbul) in 1453 and ended the Byzantine  Empire (a.k.a. Eastern Roman Empire). When it opened, it had the sixth longest suspension span in the world; today it is seventeenth.

Recently, the Turkish Government announced that a Third Bridge will be constructed soon. According to the Guardian “Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey’s prime minister, who once said that a third bridge “would mean the murder of the city”, has thrown his weight behind the 2.2 billion dollar project and the bridge is now predicted to open as early as 2015. But environmentalists, urban planners and many Istanbul residents are furious at the plan, arguing that it will create more traffic, increase the number of vehicles in Istanbul and spell an end to the few remaining green areas and urgently needed drinking water reservoirs that have so far resisted the urban sprawl. Then there’s the lack of thorough geological research in a major earthquake zone.”

My feelings about bridges above the Bosphorus are more romantic than all the real numbers and environmental consequences. I think back to a time when I would walk a few hundred yards from my house located on a hill which rose sharply above the Bosphorus on the European side of Istanbul and come to an area locally referred to as “The Pines.”

This area was once the garden of an ancient summer house of one of the daughters of a Sultan, covered with very tall pine trees and remnants of what may have been a grand house. Two lion statutes stood at each end of a pool which was covered with all types of debris. From that point, I could see the Bosphorus clearly all the way to the Asian side where green hills rose up towards the sky and clouds. There were hardly any houses on those hills. The sight of  constant traffic of Russian and Romanian tankers carrying oil to all points around the world or returning from exotic destinations; small fishing boats bobbing up and down; fast moving military vessels and many other types and shapes of boats hurrying along would keep me occupied and fixated for hours at a time.

As a young child, I had always found it most romantic to look over the water to the “other side” and dream about riding a train towards Asia, passing through the great plains of Anatolia, see Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan and go all the way to Mongolia and someday reach Shanghai and the Pacific Ocean.

When the first bridge was built and opened to traffic, I was no longer living in Istanbul and upon hearing the news I remember getting sad and melancholic. Then the second bridge was built and two sides were connected forever. In October this year, a tunnel will connect Asia and Europe and the “other side” will get connected by a railroad under the Bospohorus.

The city has grown to 15 million plus and with the coming of the Third Bridge which will also have a railroad; Asia and Europe will forever get closer. One can only hope, beyond the romanticism of the whole thing; that Europe and Asia actually get closer by all these bridges and tunnel; culturally, politically and geographically.

As I sit here on a cool and partially cloudy Sunday morning, feeling somehow sad and melancholic about the third bridge, I fondly remember my mini-adventures visiting distant relatives “on the other side” some fifty-five years ago and feel bad that there may no longer be young men and women sitting on the side of a hill in the “Pines” area and fantasizing about the unreachable and the unknown…

About The Author

Tarik Ayasun is President of the Marco Island Charter Middle School Board of Directors and has given many years of service of community service to various organizations.

Tarik Ayasun
turk1949@comcast.net

Participating clergy are Marco Presbyterian Church’s Founding Pastor the Rev. Dr. Bruce R. Fiol, New Life Community Church’s Pastor the Rev. Thomas McCulley and   Wesley United Methodist Church’s Pastor the Rev. Kirk Dreiser.

The Lely High School Brass Ensemble, John Stein, director; Marv Hollenbeck, keyboard; and Linda Sandlin, soloist will provide music.  The prelude will begin at 6:45 a.m.

Both Fiol and Sandlin were part of the first Easter Sunrise Service.

The Marco Police and volunteers will direct traffic and assist with parking.  Double parking will be allowed on Collier Boulevard for the event.  Resident’s Beach opens at 6 a.m. for members’ parking.   Dress is casual; please bring your own blanket or chair.

Information call 239-394-8186.

IBERIABANK on Marco Island has held nine shred parties to date, each with a different theme. On Saturday, February 23, they held their tenth, the first to include a most beloved kind of family member, pets. Dubbed the Patriotic Pet Shred Party—shredding paper, not pets—the event included pet professionals, a pet parade, and Shred-It professionals to assist in eradicating any and all personal documents brought to them.

Identity theft is a large, widespread issue , and one of the ways an identity can be stolen is by access to personal documents—things like bank statements, contracts, checks, and junk mail. The best to prevent these sorts of documents from being stolen and used is by shredding them beyond recognition, into a puzzle that can never be pieced together. IBERIABANK understands this, and wants their customers, as well as other Marco residents and visitors, to feel safe and secure, and are, therefore, pleased to offer shred parties to give the people that security of a document well-shredded.

Having always wanted to do a “pet day,” Keith Dameron of IBERIABANK decided to mix shredding with pets—again, shredding paper—and the Patriotic Pet Shred Party was born. Joining the shredding services company Shred-It were several pet professionals, including Dr. Garrison of the Marco Veterinary Hospital, celebrity dog trainer Mike Miller, the Naples Humane Society (complete with puppies for adoption), and Jessica Hadraba and her dog Annie, representing the Critter Café Boarding and Grooming. These professionals were there to offer their advice and expertise, answer any questions, and share in their love for animals.

Also in attendance was Erin Winkowski of Paws4Pics, a photography company specializing in pictures of dogs, international artist Malenda Trick showcasing some pet portraits, and For the Love of Cats, a local organization dedicated to rescuing, protecting, and finding good homes for cats.

There were over 100 participants in the shred, filling the Shred-it truck that collects the paper and takes it away to be recycled. Over the last nine shred parties, over 40 tons of paper have been shredded, and all recycled. There was a $2 donation for each box or bag to be shredded, the proceeds going to the Big Flag Maintenance Fund.

There were also quite a few participants in the pet parade contest, with first, second, and third prizes awarded to the winners. Said winners were chosen by three celebrity judges—Collier County Commissioner Donna Fiala, former news anchor for CNN and ABC Chris Curle, and the Chief Operating Officer with Physicians Regional Healthcare System, Rick LoCastro. Judged on a scale of 1-10, the categories included best Patriotic costume, most creative costume, best trick, and best behaved. The winner of the parade was a black Teacup Poodle named Precious, with quite a story.

Precious was rescued by Debbie Kimack and other volunteers at Wee Waggins Rescue, Inc., from a puppy mill, where she had lived almost half her life in a cardboard box, being repeatedly bred for puppies. When her mommy, Nancy Spender, adopted her, Precious was blind in one eye, and had a broken paw and crushed knee, neither of which have healed. But despite all of that, Precious is a kind, sweet dog, who receives all the love, attention, and affection she deserves, but never got before.

All in all, Saturday’s shred party was a hit, complete with paper shredders and pet lovers. What the eleventh shred party theme will be, the IBERIABANK staff does not know, but it’s sure to be just as much a hit as the tenth—though probably less furry.