Shop Talk: Scouting out a home for Marco’s proposed big flag’

The first photo includes Steering Committee Members Keith Dameron, Leo Sutera, Chairman Dave Rice, Dick Shanahan, Carla Mickes, and Public Works Director Tim Pinter -- at the Jolley Bridge today exploring potential locations for an American Flag. Carole Roberts/Special to The Eagle

This median on the Marco side of the Jolley Bridge is the likely location of the Big American Flag, probably just north of the big palm tree in the foreground. Members of the flag committee and City Public Works Director Tim Pinter (at left with umbrellas) visited the site on Monday. Don Farmer/Eagle Correspondent

The cloudy sky gave way to several bursts of rain last Monday afternoon, but members of the Big Flag Committee were all smiles as they visited the site where they would love to see the flag flying.

With them was City Public Works Director Tim Pinter, who agreed the location is a good one.

If no unforeseen issues develop, the 55-foot pole and its 10x15-foot flag could go up there, in the median on the Marco end of the Jolley Bridge. The flag there would be an imposing, impressive sight as people cross the bridge and make the descent onto the island.

The pole the committee has in mind would be able to withstand winds up to 182 miles per hour. The flag, probably polyester for durability, could take winds up to 115 miles per hour.

The flag committee has received a lot of support from individuals and civic organizations and offers to make donations, including one from an anonymous donor, who reportedly would pay for the pole, the flag, delivery and installation.

Pinter, the city’s point man in working with the Big Flag group, told the committee that the flag could be installed as early as two weeks from now, or it could take as long as until the end of November.

We have received emails from readers saying they would like to donate and asking where to send a check. As of this writing, the answer is, don’t send donations just yet. The Big Flag Committee is making arrangements (perhaps completed by now) for proper handling of donations and will let us know ASAP.

The Marco Polo Restaurant's Tom Naifeh welcomes guests in the dining room, newly decorated during "The Polo's" September hiatus. Chris Curle Eagle Correspondent The menu also has fresh new items at attractive prices.

If it’s Tuesday, it must be ‘Brews on the Bay’

In the spirit of the philosophy that almost any excuse for a party is a valid one, we report that a Marco nightspot that needs no excuse, CJ’s on the Bay, is planning a wing-ding, a rip-snorter of a party, on Tuesday.

It’s the “Brews on the Bay” bash and as the name implies, there will be beer, including some brands not always available around here.

“We’ll have great food and drink, plus prizes and other giveaways and entertainment by veteran Marco music man Duncan Wheeler,” says CJ’s beverage expert James Hubbard.

On the menu is a five-course meal paired with hand-selected brews.

Rumors are rampant that the Hooters Girls, the Bacardi Girls and the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes will be at the party. Just kidding, but it’s likely that one of those groups will show up. Any bets on which one?

Reservations are required. Call CJ’s, 389-4511

News about wining, dining and dancing at Marco Polo

Marco Polo Restaurant is leaping into this pre-season season with emphasis on the new – new, expanded menu items, a new dance floor, new carpeting and a new roster of musical entertainment, including some veteran island musicians.

Owner Tom Naifeh offers some details:

“We have redone our menu to reflect suggestions from our customers. There are many new menu items, priced from $19.00 including salad, choice of pasta, rice or potato, sorbet course, and fresh steamed vegetables. These are available during the entire dinner service from 5 p.m. until closing, not only during the early bird hours offered by most restaurants.

“A great deal of time and effort has gone into our new wine list, by the glass and by the bottle.”

The new entertainment schedule includes Dan Vass on Sundays and Mondays, Miss Rosetta Stone on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and Don Barber on Fridays and Saturdays.

For reservations, call 394-5777. And ask about free rides to and from Marco Polo.

Chris Curle is a former news anchor for CNN and for ABC-TV stations in Washington, D.C., Atlanta and Houston. E-mail chris@chriscurle.com.

Don is a former ABC News correspondent and bureau chief and a former news anchor for CNN and ABC-TV, in Atlanta. His Farmer File column appears Fridays in the Naples Daily News. E-mail: don@donfarmer.com.