Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News, Police & Fire.
The Boca Grande Fire Department responded to several calls throughout the latter part of the month, including the following: On June 17 a missing boater was reported in our area, but the department was canceled enroute. On June 18 at 5:11 p.m. the department got a call of a boat fire around Whidden’s Marina. It […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
It’s no surprise that electrical devices are susceptible to strikes; it is estimated that a lightning strike contains around 30,000,000 volts, and a quick zap to a 12-volt device will certainly destroy it. But lightning is like horseshoes: “Close” counts. There can sometimes be collateral damage when a nearby boat gets hit, either the result of the lightning’s powerful electromagnetic field or the current induced by the field running through the boat’s shore-power cord. This can create strange problems: Some electronics may work fine, others that are adjacent might not, and still others may only work partially. In some cases, compasses have been off by 100 degrees.
Written by Tonya Bramlage on . Posted in News.
How will we sustainably feed future generations of humans? Some researchers believe that hydroponics, a method of growing food with water, nutrients and light but no soil, could be part of the solution. William F. Gericke, a biologist at theUniversity of California Berkeley, is credited with bringing hydroponics into mainstream consciousness back in the 1930s. The term “hydroponic” comes from the Greek words “hudor” for water and “ponos” for work, so in translation, it essentially means “water-working.” But does it work? Is it safe? Is it really sustainable? And does it produce food that is as nutritious as soil-grown food?
Written by Tonya Bramlage on . Posted in News.
As we head into peak nesting season, now is the time when sea turtle patrollers really come together and work hard as a team. There are multiple nests laid each day on eight different zones from the north to south end of the Island. During this time of year, when people and sea turtles are […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Profiles.
Bringing Martyn and his wife Helen to Florida was the idea of Bishop Kenneth Carter, head of the United Methodist Conference in Florida, who happens to be a dear friend of theirs. They are approaching this new assignment with joy, as Martyn enters his final year in active ministry. He will retire at the end of this assignment, planning to return to England and become the doting grandfather he has been and still aspires to be.
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Editorial.
As we sit perched on the brink of a Fourth of July three-day weekend, it might be a good time to talk about the 800-pound gorilla in the room. For a small local newspaper, trying to keep things light is a good idea … most of the time … but there comes a time when […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
Charlotte County commissioners also discussed the 358 units that are proposed by Lennar Homes for 12901, 12951 and 13001 Gasparilla Road, which is just west/southwest of the Coral Creek Golf Club. Attorney Rob Berntsson from Big W Law Firm sent a letter to Charlotte County administrators on behalf of his client, Habern Acquisition LLC ETAL, asking for the county’s clarification on zoning for the lots.
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
“Lamar was making a strong run late; it scared me,” Nelson said. “He hooked his fourth one with like 40 minutes left, and I thought ‘Oh, man, he’s making a run at it.’ Then we got our fifth and released it, and I felt pretty comfortable for a bit … until Lamar got his fifth and let it go with about eight minutes left in the tournament. That’s still plenty of time to get a sixth.”
Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Editorial, News, Sports & Outdoors.
As to the rides, they take place every day and can have as few as two or three riders in the heat of the summer, to 20 or 30 riders during the season, when many snowbirds migrate south. Riders come from far and wide. Carrie comes from Wyoming each winter, and Rob usually makes it from Jersey – no, not New Jersey but the island in the Channel off England. Others come from all over the U.S., but mainly from the northeastern and midwestern states. The rides are mainly in Rotonda, Gulf Cove, South Gulf Cove, the Meadows, or on any given holiday CHC ventures to Boca Grande. There is an occasional ride from Manasota Key to Casey Key, but mainly the rides stay in the Cape Haze peninsula. Several riders have raced in the past ,and many completed various long-distance trips.
Written by Tonya Bramlage on . Posted in Columns.
Every single ounce of energy begins to wane as the volunteers sweat their way through the morning marking nests and false crawls in the sweltering heat. Teamwork is what it’s all about: Together everyone achieves more. Not only do patrollers rely on one another to get all of the nests documented and marked, but they also rely greatly on the efforts of all the behind-the-scenes organizations for their tremendous, invaluable support.