Coastal Breeze News

PLANT TALK Mike Malloy [email protected] For all of us who want to have one of the showiest trees in town in our gardens (Royal Poinciana) and just don’t have the room because of their size, here are some of my favorite small trees that can be grown in courtyards, containers and small yards here in southwest Florida that can also be as special as the big boys. Dwarf Poinciana (Caesalpinina pulcherrima) is the little brother to the Royal Poinciana but a much smaller size. This evergreen shrub that can be pruned and trained into a specimen small tree, usually about 10 ... Read More »

By Danielle Dodder “Another avenue for citizen input shut down.” The chair of the city’s Beach Advisory Committee found city management’s proposal to consolidate city committees into four bodies plus a magistrate, distressing at the December 20 meeting and workshop. From city inception, volunteer committees have been a cornerstone of citizen input and oversight in local government. City council members agreed, passing on the proposal that would have merged seven committees down to three: a cultural advisory committee, environmental advisory committee and a financial advisory committee. The Planning Board would have been renamed the Quasi-Judicial Board. The Beautification Committee has ... Read More »

Donna Fiala [email protected] First, I hope everyone reading this column had a wonderful holiday! We are so blessed to be able to worship in any manner we want! We are so blessed to live in America! Being that most of my five kids and all of my grandchildren live right here, we celebrated together as a family for Christmas. And I wish everyone a very Happy New Year filled with good health and much happiness. I couldn’t help but exclaim over Barb and Lou Prigge’s home completely adorned by darling angels everywhere! What an outstanding display for all of us ... Read More »

By Monte Lazarus [email protected] For the last few weeks the Police Department (at least it appears that way) has been stationing official cars at certain places with no drivers, or others, in the cars. Apparently someone in the P.D. believes that these “dummy” cars will encourage drivers to slow down and also obey all other traffic laws. I believe otherwise. My view is that drivers of other cars will divert their attention to see who is in the “dummy” car, thereby increasing the chances of accidents. Admittedly, it is conceivable, but not likely, that a corps of special midgets has ... Read More »

By Natalie Strom [email protected] In an effort to develop a statewide trail and paddle system, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Division of Recreation and Parks recently updated the overall vision for the Florida Greenways and Trails System (FGTS). The new five-year plan lists the River of Grass Greenway as a priority. In early fall, the Division of Recreation and Parks launched the new plan, calling for public comment on what specific trails and paddle ways should be considered areas of initial importance. After hosting six public meetings throughout the state, opportunity and priority maps were developed. This ... Read More »

By Natalie Strom [email protected] “You better not pout, you better not cry, you better not shout, I’m telling you why… Santa Claus is coming to town!” For more than a decade, Santa and his sleigh have been making a regular stop at the Marco Island YMCA in mid-December to make phone calls to local children. This year, he stopped by on Sunday, December 16, along with Rudolph and a few of his elves. Children were delighted to hear from Santa and were surprised to learn that Santa really did know if they had been bad or good. With Rudolph’s bells ... Read More »

By Coastal Breeze News Staff Another 950 children were able to celebrate Christmas thanks to all those who contributed to the Joy of Giving. Year after year, this non-profit charity has provided the less fortunate families of Collier County with the means to provide a real holiday experience for their children. The children and their siblings are identified through teachers and after school youth organizations. “Major sponsors include Island Country Club and Walmart, but there are so many groups that contribute, I wish I could name them all,” said Nicki Davis, founder of the Joy of Giving. The Island Country ... Read More »

PEDAL IN PARADISE By Matt Walthour If you are reading this, either the world didn’t end, or you snuck out of your bunker and hopefully pedaled your bike to the closest newsstand and grabbed this issue of Coastal Breeze. Whatever the reason, I am happy we are all still alive and you have found the time in your renewed life to read my article. As I look towards 2013, and reflect on 2012, I think about all the bicycles I see, whether on the back of cars, in bike racks, at stores or schools, and the hundreds of people I ... Read More »

FOLLOW THE FISH Capt. Pete Rapps [email protected] Our typical weather patterns are here as December rolls into January, and we are seeing some of our first 40 degree mornings here in the 10,000 Islands. It is certainly our coolest period of the year, however the days when the fronts are absent, the sun is shining, and the thermometer gets up into the mid 70’s, can make for some awesome fishing! January is another month that you should keep an eye on your tide chart before planning your day on the water. We have some extremely low tides around both the Full ... Read More »

FOR THE LOVE OF CATS Naomi & Karina Paape [email protected] Dear fellow felines: It is imperative that I caution you about an upcoming human tradition that spells bad news for those of us who share “their” world: the dreaded New Year’s resolution. The number one resolution going into 2012 was to lose weight, or so states the website Statistic Brain. Adding to the belt tightening promised by this stat is a recent article in the Wall Street Journal (December 18) admonishing cat (and dog) owners to utilize “interactive feeders” designed to keep us from inhaling our food while simultaneously making us ... Read More »

Artful Life Tara O’Neill [email protected] Well, here we are at the end of an old [read: worn-out, done-in, used-up] year and ready to take on a shiny new one. (Mmmm, don’t you just love that new calendar smell?) I’m not one to make resolutions, but I do try to set new goals each New Year, and assess my previous ones. Oh, I know, many of you will put your best scoffs on: it’s just a date; a day like any other; it’s arbitrary! it’s imaginary! To you I say an artful life is filled with imagination and much else that can ... Read More »

CHEF’S TABLE Chef Anne Feinman [email protected] A “Blues Joint” in the south is a place where people go to enjoy food, drink, and music. The sights, sounds and tastes of New Orleans are coming to Marco Island. Live Blues and Jazz Bands are being introduced New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. A much needed venue of entertainment for the island… with a twist of the deep south. Come and see why Mango’s Dockside Bistro will be the “home of Annie’s Blues Bar!” Mango’s Dockside Bistro at The Esplanade offers delicious cuisine and designer cocktails, in a delightful casual atmosphere on ... Read More »

SOUTHERN SKIES By Mike P. Usher [email protected] Stargazers can look at this section of the sky for hours. Monoceros, the unicorn in the center, is not much to look at of course, but the Milky Way does run through it and there are some fine clusters awaiting inspection by binocular users. In particular, try to find M47 near the border with Canis Major. Sirius the Dog star is the brightest star in the sky, only the Moon and several planets are brighter. Not that anyone ever needs help finding it, but the belt stars in Orion point right towards Sirius. ... Read More »

A lovely evening was had by all in attendance at the Christmas Island Style Holiday Concert for veterans held at the Marco Island History Museum’s Rose Auditorium. Steve Stefanides, chair of Christmas Island Style welcomed veterans and guests. He thanked Coastal Breeze News for sponsoring the event and Classic Transportation for providing transportation to those unable to drive themselves. Keith Dameron introduced Malenda Trick and the portrait series she has done to commemorate the military careers of 20 local veterans. The series will be on exhibit at various locations, including Hodges University. Jim Lang, Commander of VFW Post 6370 called ... Read More »

The Greater Marco Family YMCA Fall Volleyball Season is finished with Team Powerhouse Marriott Resort & Spa again taking First Place honors. Second Place went to Classic Transportation Other participants included: Stan’s Restaurant American Computer Solutions The Winter Season of Adult Co Ed Volleyball is scheduled to begin on Monday, January 14, 2013 Enter your team for only $350 and enjoy up to 12 weeks of Adult Co Ed Volleyball at the Greater Marco Family YMCA. For more information please contact Steve Reynolds, Adult Co Ed Volleyball Coordinator at 239-394-3144 ext. 228 or via email at [email protected] Pictured in photos ... Read More »

April (A.J.) DeHanas, ABR, GRI, Realtor Partner; comes from a top producing family team of Realtors in Southern Maryland. Licensed in 1999, she was successful with RE/MAX and DeHanas Real Estate Services. The DeHanas Team was ranked among the Top 100 Realtors in the U.S. by Realtor Magazine and RE/MAX. She has attained designations as an Accredited Buyers Representative and Graduate Realtor Institute. A.J. is also a registered nurse. A.J. and her husband, Dave have been homeowners on Marco Island since 2003. A.J. loves boating, the beach, and sunsets. “We have known and respected A.J. for years as a real ... Read More »

“AND THE WINNERS ARE” Home Decorating Winner – the Giannone family, 151 Channel Court Business Property Decorating Winner – Nacho Mama’s (Mission Plaza) The Decorating Contest Final judging took place on December 14 by the entire committee aboard a trolley supplied by the Naples Transportation and Tours Company. Plaques were presented to the 10 Home Contest Finalists before returning to the winning home at 151 Channel Court. The House Decorating winner received a Championship plaque, yard sign and check for  $250.00.  Funding for the program is supplied by premiere sponsor, LCEC.  Home owners, the Giannone family, generously donated the funds to “Toys for Tots”.  The announcement  was ... Read More »

The Marco Island Historical Museum will open “Florida’s Got the Blues”, a traveling exhibition from the Museum of Florida History on January 2, 2013 with a wine and cheese reception from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.  Come celebrate “Florida’s Got the Blues” with live blues music from “Little Eddie” of “Little Eddie and the Fat Fingers”. Event is free and open to the public. “Florida’s Got the Blues” will be on display from January 2, 2013 to March 30, 2013. Although the state is seldom associated with the genre, Florida has a long blues tradition. For instance, did you know ... Read More »

  At the City Council meeting today, following Councils approval of Phase II construction plans to enhance Veteran’s Park, Big Flag Committee Chairman, Dave Rice announced to the audience that in honor of the veteran’s at today’s meeting that the Big Flag at the Jolley Bridge is again flying. A vehicle severely damaged the pole, requiring the purchase of a new and improved flag pole.  Stated Rice, “I had a wish for the Holiday Season that the flag would fly for Christmas and my wish came true. City Staff liaison, Tim Pinter has accomplished in record time, the coordination of purchasing ... Read More »

Don’t know what to do with your energetic visitors? Send them on a Swamp Walk in the Fakahatchee. If they are relatively fit and don’t mind getting wet to the waist while wondering at the marvels of this primeval environment, they’ll have memories and photos to take home of a Florida far from concrete condos and shopping malls. The walk is led by naturalists who can point out the rare plants along the way and answer questions about this local state park which was saved from development in the 1970s. The Fakahatchee is called “the Amazon of North America” and ... Read More »