BY JIM COOPER - These are exciting and historic times for your bridge authority and our island community. We are in the midst of a once in a lifetime, milestone process: the replacement of all three of our 54-year-old causeway bridges over the next five years.  

BY LIZA STROUT - For the Carlsons, art is a family affair. Hughes Gallery will be hosting local artist Jane Carlson and her son, Wes Carlson, in their first joint gallery show. The show, titled “Jane and Wes Carlson, Two Generations,” will open on Monday, Feb. 20 from 6-8 p.m. The show will continue Tuesday, Feb. 21 from 1 to 5 p.m.

BY ALICE GORMAN - On Thursday, Feb. 9, at 4 p.m., the Johann Fust Community Library is honored to welcome the author, Maisie Houghton, at a presentation of her memoir Pitch Uncertain: A Mid-Century Middle Daughter Finds Her Voice published in 2011 by Tide Pool Press.

The 2012 Boca Grande Art Alliance “Art in the Home” Tour will be held on Thursday, Feb. 16 from 1 to 5 p.m.

BY LIZA STROUT - Do you own an elevated home? Is the ground floor enclosed? When was your house built? What is a flow vent? What does any of this have to do with flood insurance?

Els Teunissen, a Dutch floral designer known as the “designer’s designer,” wowed an overflow crowd at the Boca Grande Garden Club meeting on Wednesday, February 1.

She shared a slide presentation highlighting her career, giving a glimpse of the famous people she has designed for as well as her incredible talent and versatility, and demonstrated her skills on stage by creating some amazing arrangements that were auctioned off at the tea after the meeting.