ECOWATCH: Let’s make every day Earth Day
It has been 52 years since the first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970 in Washington, D.C., and college campuses held rallies throughout America. It was a time of awakening. Many had said that Rachel Carson’s book, “Silent Spring,” which documented the adverse environmental effect caused by the indiscriminate use of pesticides, and the Santa Barbara oil spill in 1969, one of the largest oil spills in the U.S. at the time, killing over 3,500 birds and marine animals, were the catalysts for Earth Day.
PROFILE: Jorge Matos
The municipality of Sabana Grande is located in the western coastal valleys of Puerto Rico some 1,144 miles from Boca Grande. This small town is surrounded by public forest land and packed with history and architectural gems. It has been nicknamed the Town of Petateros in honor of the multigenerational artisans who make petate, a mat woven from a specific type of palm leaf. The most famous petate weaver of the town is Doña Monserrate Montalvo, but its most famous chef is perhaps Jorge Matos.
Boca Grande Community Center looking for a special person to fill a special job
What they call “Program Specialist” we call “Heart of Boca Grande.” For those of us connected to the island, we know how important it is to have a community-minded person fill this role. One who has interest in continuing traditions such as the Halloween Festival, Turkey Hoop Shoot, 5k Run/Walk, Bike Parade and Woman’s Club Fair, Egg Hunt, Summer Camp; along with facilitating use of the Community Center by island organizations and others.
SUNCOAST SAL: SHS joins the Giving Challenge 2022
Suncoast Humane Society has set a goal to raise $100,000 for their general operating fund which provides critical support for the animals and community-based programs such as the Pet Food Bank and Pet Therapy Program. “We’re just beginning to emerge from extremely challenging times, when many nonprofits felt great uncertainties about sustaining their operations,” said Suncoast CEO, Maureen E.
The Becky Buller Band to perform at Coconut Cabaret
The Friends of Boca Grande are excited to present The Becky Buller Band on Thursday, March 31, at the Coconut Cabaret. Located at the Crowninshield Community House, Becky Buller Band is scheduled to perform two shows, 5 p.m. to a sold-out crowd, and at 8 p.m.
The Coconut Cabaret features vintage vibes that come alive in the speakeasy-style of the Prohibition era. Guests will enjoy table seating and bring-your-own food and beverages while enjoying the performance.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: In search of the umbrella slasher
It all started on Monday, Feb. 28 when we glanced out to the beach and saw that ALL of the beach umbrellas from Seagrape to the first section of Sundown had been removed and were laying on the ground. We were perplexed about this and notified the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. They responded quickly and checked out the beach.
Saying goodbye to two decades of art and love … HUGHES GALLERY PREPARES TO CLOSE AFTER 20 YEARS
Hughes Art Gallery, located in the big wooden “Bike n Beach” building on Park Avenue will be closed this summer, as the owner of the building has another use for the space she is in. While Barb is holding out hope against hope she might find another location, the option doesn’t exist right now … at least not one that she’s aware of.
Boots is coming back to the post office … and she’s bringing beads
Decision made: After two years of not selling beads down by the Boca Grande Post office, I am coming back! Look for me, weather permitting, on Friday, March 11 a.m. (Thursday if the weather is to be lousy on Friday). At any rate, between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., and weekly after that until my inventory is completed.
Learn about peeling rocks like fruit and more at ZimSculpt
Zimbabwe is the only African country with vast amounts of carveable stone. In fact, the stone found there is of such great importance to the people of Zimbabwe, that the word “Shona” is derived from a word in their native language literally meaning “house of stone.” This art medium has been made into a world renowned traveling exhibition of these modern Zimbabwean Shona stone sculptures and, in 2022, the prestigious honor for the exhibition location has been bestowed upon the Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens in Punta Gorda. Join the festivities and listen to the sound of chisels clinking against stone echoing throughout the gardens through April 18.
