Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News.
There’s been a surge of non-natives on the Cape Haze Peninsula … and we don’t just mean iguanas. Lately, numerous constrictor snakes have been found in Rotonda and South Gulf Cove, which clearly shows that these apex predator snakes we normally only think of being in The Everglades have made their way to Southwest Florida.
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Featured News, Profiles.
Marc Vee discovered his love of music when he was not much more than 7 years old. His mix of classical, rock, jazz and a few other styles of guitar music can be heard at least weekly at the Key Lime Bistro in downtown Boca Grande.
Marc’s interest in music was originally piqued when his parents bought him a Sears Silvertone electric guitar when he was 7. The guitar case had a built-in amplifier and it was great for making lots of noise … probably more than his parents bargained for. Marc knew nothing at that point about playing, but that did not keep him from working at it.
Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Featured News, Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: The Gasparilla Island Maritime Museum (GIMM) and Whidden’s captains had a great tarpon season! We hosted two “Howl At Moon“ tournaments, and William Woodroffe hosted two more tarpon tournaments to benefit GIMM this past season. Each tournament was a “grande’ success, and a portion of each tournament entry included a donation to […]
Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Featured News, Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: The summer has been an active season at the Boca Grande Community Center, and that will continue through the fall. Here are some highlights of what has happened and what is to come at the Boca Grande Community Center, 131 First Street West: Summer Camp Lee County Parks & Recreation staff wrapped […]
Written by Delores Savas on . Posted in Columns, Opinion.
BY DELORES SAVAS ‘’We are playing Russian roulette with features of the planet’s atmosphere that will profoundly impact generations to come. How long are we willing to gamble?” […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
The Fire Department’s “Island E.O.C. Emergency Communications and Interoperability Working Group” responsible for creating a new network of emergency communications – both on and just off island – is steadily moving forward. In fact, their efforts have now been stepped up to “Mission Critical” status, after a near-miss from Hurricane Idalia and other systems out in the Atlantic on the move.
The Group’s communications subcommittee is working with Motorola and Suncoast Expeditionary Associates to optimize their efforts in creating a backup auxiliary emergency communications system. Which will allow representatives from all of the island’s key organizations – such as the school, fire, deputies, the GICIA, the Boca Grande Community Center and others – to communicate with each other in the event we have no cell service for any reason.
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community, News.
Hurricanes don’t always bring good things, but the latest hurricane, Idalia, has not only brought the American flamingo back to Florida, but highlighted the potential for the eventual restoration and return of the species to Florida on a permanent basis.
Like so many Floridians, Ashley Scarpa had never seen them in Florida, even as an experienced birder.
“To be honest I went searching for them,” said Scarpa, who has in the past monitored birds for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. “Someone had posted that they had been seen in the area, and I sprinted to where they have been seen.”
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Profiles.
Get ready for fancy and fun drinks coming this season. There is a new bar manager at Scarpa’s Coastal, and he is all about mixing things up.
Mike Teston thinks the term “mixology” is a little pretentious for what he does. However, he loves the chemistry, the imagination, the challenge of finding new ways to tickle people’s tastebuds and open them to new adventures through the drinks he develops. He can’t wait to roll out his new cocktail menu in October.
Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Community, News.
To the Editor: The summer has been an active season at the Boca Grande Community Center and that will continue through the fall. Highlights from the Community Center, 131 First Street West, Boca Grande: Summer Camp Lee County Parks & Recreation staff wrapped up a successful summer camp. Camp was at full capacity of 60 […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Community, News.
There may or may not have been a bit of scoffing going on a few days ago, as many from this area who went through Ian were looking at a tropical storm more than 100 miles off our coastline. Was this even worth buying water for? Or gas?
As it turned out, effects from Idalia started at about noon on Tuesday, even before the rain began. During that high tide, stormwater drains were already backing up and creating a bit of flooding down by Whidden’s Marina and at 4th Street/Bayou Drive.