Marco Island Blogs

  • Completely Biodegradable Posted 2/5/2012 at 6:17 a.m. 0 comments

    The spider can easily recycle its silk by eating it. The web, easily destroyed by bad weather and by catching prey, loses its adhesiveness after a day or so. The old web is eaten and a new web is constructed again. The cutting and the digesting of the web are done by special digestive juices that contain enzymes rather than by any mechanical cutting. These juices are also used to connect the strands of silk together.

  • Chess Tournament in Naples Posted 2/2/2012 at 6:48 p.m. 0 comments

    CHESS!! The local chess club - SW Florida Chess Club - now features a 4 round Swiss G/75. Great event for all chess players. Are you ready?

  • Book Review, "Did Not Survive" Posted 2/2/2012 at 11:09 a.m. 0 comments

    “Did Not Survive” opens with veteran, and pregnant, zookeeper Iris Oakley trapped in a hopeless situation as she attempts to save Zoo Foreman, Kevin Wallace, from an apparent elephant attack.

  • Reality Twaddle, Mobster Edition Posted 1/31/2012 at 6:47 p.m. 0 comments

    Fascination with mobsters has been popular since the days of Al Capone. His antics seemed to have entertained a 1930’s population reeling from the Great Depression.

  • Who's on truth, what's on false Posted 1/31/2012 at 6:31 p.m. 0 comments

    Sweden is often used to illustrate the "European-style socialism" that President Obama's opponents insist he wants to emulate. I Googled "Sweden and taxes" and learned the following.

  • A Thing of the Past Posted 1/27/2012 at 6:16 a.m. 0 comments

    Things change especially with development here in Southwest Florida.  You may have some favorite things or places that you like to photograph and one day they could be gone.  I learned that this week when I met up for a...

  • HITLER’S SILVER BOX-A Novel—my response to American Nazis Posted 1/14/2012 at 9:43 a.m. 0 comments

    “Future generations have serious responsibilities, chief among these not to repeat past mistakes.  Sadly, these days, there are still those who, out of ignorance or foul intentions, somehow revere the scourge that was National Socialism. That’s why, it’s good for the rest of us to get reminded from time to time, at least, how truly despicable the Nazis were.”

  • NCAA Overhauls System Posted 11/23/2011 at 11:21 a.m. 0 comments

    A startling announcement from the National Collegiate Athletic Association that will change college and professional sports forever

  • Fantasy politics Posted 7/26/2011 at 10:40 a.m. 0 comments

    Fantasy sports are all of the rage today. How about we try a round of fantasy politics

  • Living Abundantly II Posted 6/30/2011 at 9:42 p.m. 0 comments

    On the last article we addressed hacking away at the unessentials. Unessentials are things that we actually don't need. Things like oxygen, water, food, clothing, and a house over your head are truly essential items. Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, television, and...

  • Weather v. climate Posted 6/27/2011 at 6:33 a.m. 0 comments

    Do you the difference between "weather" and "climate?" I thought I did, until I started preparing for a paper at the recent American Meteorological Society conference in Oklahoma City, OK. Now, I'm looking for input from others...

  • Feeling the pain but loving it! Posted 5/10/2011 at 11:33 p.m. 0 comments

    The green tunnel has arrived! So far on my journey I've hiked 416 miles. It's amazing what the human body is capable of doing. That being said, those miles are not done with zero pain. Blisters, bruises, and horrible swelling....

  • Bill prohibiting health insurance mandate heading to Gov. Scott Posted 5/3/2011 at 11:43 p.m. 0 comments

    A House bill that provides that Floridians cannot be mandated to purchase health insurance passed through the Florida Senate on Tuesday. House Bill 1193, sponsored by Rep. Matt Hudson, has already passed through the House. "This legislation protects the individual...

  • Wisconsin Governor and Teachers Union Posted 2/22/2011 at 5:17 p.m. 0 comments

    Just so you’ll think twice before calling me a right wing Republican extremist, let me tell you a little bit about myself. First, yes, I am a registered Republican, but other than Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford, my votes have gone independent.

  • DADT fix needs time Posted 12/21/2010 at 5:18 p.m. 0 comments

    Changes involving long held moral and religious positions are highly emotional and require much time and effort to effect in a positive way

  • Engage in Earth-Friendly Giving, Entertaining this Year Posted 12/14/2010 at 3:20 p.m. 0 comments

    Americans throw away 25 percent more trash between Thanksgiving and New Year’s as compared to any other time of the year. The extra waste amounts to about 1.2 million extra tons per week (or an extra 6 million tons during the entire holiday season) and is being predicted to be roughly the same for this year even in light of the economic downturn.

  • Employee Burnout – The Signs and the Solutions Posted 11/16/2010 at 4:13 p.m. 0 comments

    People who suffer from burnout often feel fatigued, sapped emotionally and tired just doing the day to day grind. Tempers can get a little short or a reaction may seem like an overreaction to a small incident. You might see someone who is much less productive than they were before, or exhibit a more “I don’t care” attitude.

  • 2011 Color Trends - Looking Back Posted 11/11/2010 at 9:53 a.m. 0 comments

    Hot colors from 2010 will continue over into the 2011 designer palette.

    Classics never go out of style - they are the Archetypes of design and color that are seemingly ageless. The Archetypes palette harkens back to the idea of retro and is heavily influences by movies and television.

  • 'Our Single Greatest National Challenge' Posted 10/31/2010 at 3:44 p.m. 0 comments

    There’s a significant issue that plagues our great nation, yet it gets relatively little political attention—education at inner-city schools. In a country as great as ours, it’s inexcusable that only five out of thirty kids will show up to their English class on a Friday afternoon at West Philadelphia High School. Where's the political will to do something?

  • Recovering from a public 'meltdown' Posted 8/12/2010 at 4:00 p.m. 0 comments

    Occasionally, people are going to suffer a public meltdown that will be amplified by a combination of media and internet. The funny thing about meltdowns is that they always attract attention, but can have very different implications.

  • Naples Airport Authority Needs Reform Posted 8/9/2010 at 9:49 a.m. 0 comments

    The NAA has made serious errors of judgment in proceeding with its largely secret plan to expand the runways to enable large regional commercial jets to use the Naples airport and two commissioners who's terms are ending should not be reappointed.

  • 013. Dog Days Posted 8/8/2010 at 9:11 a.m. 0 comments

    First of all, this installment is NOT about dogs! It is about (as the song says) those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer. And known as the "dog days" of summer, August is the month when it is simply too...

  • 76. Creativity Posted 8/1/2010 at 1:11 p.m. 0 comments

    How does one test for creativity? There is a huge difference between assessing acquired skills like technical development and actual creativity; and that is the purpose of this installment of Chalk Dust & Paper Cuts. It was the mid-1970s when...

  • Brotherhood Ride-Day 10 Posted 4/11/2010 at 11:36 a.m. 0 comments

    This is the day. The day we reach our final destination, Houston. The excitement this morning is palpable. The riders are ready, the support team is ready. Lets roll. We eat, we pack up and hit the road. Much love...

  • Can you handle the truth? Posted 3/8/2010 at 1:20 p.m. 0 comments

    Get ready for the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth! There are decisions made on your behalf that don't always make it into the media.

  • Owls in Florida, Jan. 5th Program Posted 12/30/2009 at 12:10 p.m. 0 comments

    Come to our third Program of the Season on Tuesday, Jan.5th at The Conservancy of SW Florida auditorium at 7:30pm to hear Dr. Jerry Jackson talk about these marvelous creatures.

  • Larry Magel for City Council Posted 9/17/2009 at 5:45 p.m. 1 comment

    Welcome to this blog. I am running for election to the Marco Island City Council, and am very interested in what you, the voters on Marco Island, desire in your city government. I have developed a website http://www.magel4marco.com , you can read additional information about me, my position on some of the current issues, and thoughts on making city government more responsive to the citizens.
    I believe my management experience in lean, cost effective operations and strong financial management are needed at this time in Marco’s history. I have been involved in numerous governmental committees serving the citizens on Marco and Collier County. My campaign theme is “ An Independent Voice – For A Change”, and if elected will work to represent the citizens of Marco balancing your requirements for services with the realities of the economy in these difficult financial times.
    Please let me have your thoughts

  • From Estero to Africa and Back Again Posted 8/26/2009 at 12:14 p.m. 0 comments

    I chastised myself for worrying about Ghanaians holding their own on the world stage as I eavesdropped on the two very astute Ghanaian nationals giving my fellow Americans a real run. I already appreciate how good we Americans are in these matters. I felt pride, too for the Ghanaians so up to the challenge. These people are important to me now, too.

  • An Impetus To Live Posted 12/2/2008 at 1:17 p.m. 0 comments

    Allow me to get off of the Pop Culture Pedestal for a second and retell one of the most moving and inspiring stories I've ever heard, from my drama professor Sid Homan. I hope that, upon reading it, you feel as ready to take on the world as I do.

  • Local Collier race ends with candidates tied! Posted 11/4/2008 at 11:40 p.m. 0 comments

    Officials with the Collier County Supervisor of Elections Office determined Tuesday night that the 1,000 faulty ballots have white blemishes in the tracking area on the left-hand margin. This prevented the machines from scanning them properly.

  • Spray Park Dedication Posted 10/2/2007 at 10:10 a.m. 0 comments

    Come join the grand opening of Mackle Park's Spray Park and Tot Basketball Court on Saturday, Oct 13th from 12:00pm - 2:00pm.

  • Final report from Beloit Posted 9/30/2007 at 8:56 p.m. 0 comments

    The season finally ended and what a year it was. We took the season to the last possible day you can have in Minor League Baseball.

  • About the Home Stager Posted 9/5/2007 at 6:36 p.m. 0 comments

    Margie Ogle is an Accredited Staging Professional (ASP™ ) and a member of the International Association of Home Staging Professionals (IAHSP ™).

  • It is the season for the Stingray Shuffle Posted 8/20/2007 at 10:24 a.m. 0 comments

    The sandy beaches and the gorgeous warm waters of Marco Island can make for the perfect day unless you are one of the unfortunate ones that encounter a Dasyatidae, also known as stingrays.

  • Grab the long rod and hit the beach! Posted 8/2/2007 at 3:56 p.m. 0 comments

    The snook bite is going off on the beaches! The best time to get out there with a fly rod is at daybreak but the bite can last well into the heat of the afternoon if conditions are favorable. Look for the bait and cast on the fringes. There's no need to cast out very far; in fact, you shouldn't even have to get your feet wet as long as the tides rollin' in!

  • Cruise Control Posted 3/21/2007 at 9:56 p.m. 0 comments

    North Dakota fans are chanting and feeling better but FGCU still is in cruise control with a 77-56 lead with less than five minutes remaining. Well, there's a Steffi Sorensen steal and layup. That's how fast the Eagles are in this.

  • Last Blog From Austrailia Posted 2/1/2007 at 7:55 a.m. 0 comments

    She was always going to be a great champion, Serena Williams. From her early days on tour it was obvious she had great natural skill and a fierce drive to win and be more than just 'Venus' little sister".

  • Mickey and rites of passage Posted 9/22/2006 at 12:56 p.m. 0 comments

    One of the rites of passages of coming to Florida—at least in my eyes—is going to Disney World. I mean, how can you pass it up? It’s only a few hours down the road. I also have a girlfriend, who is a little too obsessed with Ariel for a 24 year old, who begged me to go.

  • Old is the new new Posted 8/30/2006 at 9:40 a.m. 0 comments

    X-tina and Ray LaMontagne get their retro on and in turn release some great music.

  • Have you heard the one about the man who died and went to heaven? Posted 8/24/2006 at 12:22 p.m. 0 comments

    Have you heard the one about the man who died and went to heaven? As he approached the pearly white gates of glory, Saint Peter welcomed him to heaven and asked him where he was from. “Marco Island,” the man replied.
    “Oh,” said Saint Peter, “You might not like it here.”

  • Passing The Taste Test Posted 10/26/2005 at 1:53 a.m. 0 comments

    Answer: Corned beef hash, baked beans, ham and cheese and white bread.
    Question: What are foods you won't find in The Ritz-Carlton dining room.

  • Back to the office, back to work Posted 10/25/2005 at 2:49 p.m. 0 comments

    It's a good thing we all get along because working in a room that's probably 12 feet by 20 feet with five or six other people isn't the friendliest of situations.

  • Exit where? Posted 10/24/2005 at 9:03 a.m. 0 comments

    Fire alarms were tripped throughout the morning due to losses in power. Evacuees were already standing in lines that stretched the entire length of the concourse waiting for their breakfast, fruit and struedel, when an automated message blared over the loudspeakers at 7:58 a.m. telling them to report to the nearest exit.

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