Watching Michelle Goodrich work with a dog, it’s hard to believe that the mother of two has ever done anything else. But Michelle only started grooming professionally in 2000. Having taken care of the family poodle’s styling needs for years, she thought that it would be a fun career. So like everything else in her life, she dove right in.

BY MARCY SHORTUSE - One of Boca Grande’s resident manatees was taken to Lowry Park Zoo on Friday, Oct. 26 due to exposure from red tide.

According to Fish and Wildlife Institute representatives, calls started coming in to their facility at approximately 10:30 a.m. The callers told them the manatee was “swimming erratically and having trouble balancing, even rolling and listing in the water.”

BY LIZA STROUT - Five companies came forward to place bids on the new swing bridge construction plan, with prices ranging from $17 to $24 million.

GIBA Executive Director James Cooper, Engineering Committee Chair Peter Strong and Paul Lindgardt of KCCS opened the bid packets that had been returned to the Authority.

The five bids were:

BY ALICE GORMAN - Some opportunities come across just once in a lifetime. The Johann Fust Community Library is honored to offer such an opportunity in Boca Grande. At 4 p.m. on November 15 at the Community Center auditorium, the beloved former Poet Laureate Billy Collins will read and speak about his poetry. Afterwards he will sign copies of his latest books. A special cocktail reception will follow.

For anyone who is unfamiliar with the work of Billy Collins, his biography is extensive and impressive. Bruce Weber of the New York Times has referred to him as “the most popular poet in America.” His poem “Forgetfulness” is a classic insight into the humor of memory loss. It is particularly appropriate for a retired community.