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LANCE SHEARER

Title: Correspondent - Collier Citizen
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Recent Work

'After Five': Marco Island Chamber of Commerce announces scholarship winners at BBQ on the Bay Published 05/23/2013 at 4:43 p.m.
If you listened closely, you could hear the sound of a collective "ahhhh." The Barbecue on the Bay, held annually as the Marco Island Area Chamber of Commerce's May "After Five" social gathering, serves as the quasi-official end of season ...
Capri Fire Advisory Committee pushes to proceed with hiring of full-time chief Published 05/20/2013 at 12:47 p.m.
The ongoing saga of the Isles of Capri Fire-Rescue Dept. had another episode Friday, with a meeting of the department's advisory committee at the firehouse on Capri Blvd. Committee members discussed differing scenarios for hiring a full-time chief, and th
Marco Island Center for the Arts gets a colorful facelift Published 05/20/2013 at 10:53 a.m.
The art scene on Marco Island got a lot brighter this weekend. Specifically, the headquarters building of the Marco Island Center for the Arts received a makeover Saturday, with volunteers applying a splashy multi-colored paint job on the formerly white ...
Marco Hilton's AAA Four Diamond streak continues Published 05/20/2013 at 8:18 a.m.
The Four Diamonds that the "Three A's" awarded to the Marco Hilton made Mac Chaudhry one happy manager. AAA, the American Automobile Association, presented a plaque to Chaudhry and the senior staff of the Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort & ...
The Bard on the rock – High school students stage 'Twelfth Night' Published 05/09/2013 at 12:31 p.m.
"The play's the thing." The famous line from Hamlet rings true for the Marco Island Shakespeare Festival. If you're going to stage a theatrical production, Shakespeare is the gold standard, and for their inaugural play, festival founder and director Jacqu
'Talk Derby to Me' – 'Run for the Roses' a chance for Marco Island to raise cash for the kids Published 05/06/2013 at 12:17 p.m.
The Marco Island Brewery was packed Saturday afternoon for "Talk Derby to Me," with enough extravagant hats to make it difficult to see around the restaurant, let alone move around freely. The occasion was the annual fundraiser for Marco's Upon ...
Capri fire board votes no on consolidation with East Naples Published 05/02/2013 at 8:55 p.m.
In a 3-2 vote, the Isles of Capri Fire Advisory Board votes not to consolidate with East Naples Fire — for now.
Congressman talks, and listens – Rep. Trey Radel appears before Marco Island's Caxambas Republican Club Published 05/02/2013 at 11:59 a.m. 5 Comments
Marco Island's, and Southwest Florida's, freshman U.S. Congressman came to the island Wednesday evening, spending an hour with the Caxambas Republican Club. This was a homecoming of sorts for Trey Radel, who was preaching to the choir on Marco, comfortabl
'Best deal in town' – Hundreds turn out for Marco Island Fire-Rescue Foundation pancake breakfast Published 04/22/2013 at 11:40 a.m.
They get such a turnout, said Dianna Dohm, they can't put on the event at the height of the season. The Marco Island Fire-Rescue Foundation held their pancake breakfast on Sunday, inside the fire station on San Marco Road, and ...
Marco City Manager Riviere: Time is right to step down, but island remains home Published 04/19/2013 at 5:37 p.m. 6 Comments
"When I came on board, I had lots to do and it was exciting. Now it's pretty much routine – the same thing I was doing yesterday, I'll be doing tomorrow," he said, reached Friday in his office at City ...
Marco Island Academy dedicates new campus Published 04/18/2013 at 9:17 a.m. 7 Comments
How much electricity does it take to power a brand-new high school? One Watt. Marco Island Academy threw an open house to dedicate their new campus Tuesday, and in the bright sunshine, the shadow of Jane Watt loomed large. She ...
Yakkin' it up – Paddle festival returns to Isles of Capri Published 04/16/2013 at 3:33 p.m.
The Paradise Coast Paddlers Club 8th Annual Festival, held last weekend in Isles of Capri, is the Swiss army knife of paddling events. The festival includes something for everybody, from sea kayakers to paddle boarders to camp cooking enthusiasts, from ...
Marco Island cancer relay raises hope, and dollars, for knockout blow against cancer Published 04/16/2013 at 12:53 p.m.
As the Survivors' Lap got under way to kick off the 2013 American Cancer Society's Relay for Life at noon Saturday, the scene could have been a promo for the movie "The Color Purple." The cancer survivors wore purple T-shirts ...
One for the books: Marco Island hotels and businesses post strong numbers for 2013 season Published 04/11/2013 at 12:48 p.m.
By all accounts, it has been a strong season. Whether from listening to anecdotal reports from island businesspeople, looking at hard numbers from the county's Convention and Visitors Bureau, or just sitting in traffic a little longer on the island's ...
Taste of Marco: Marco Island has a 'taste' for fine food al fresco Published 04/08/2013 at 1:28 p.m.
Sunday afternoon, some of Marco's fine restaurants turned into sidewalk food vendors for the day, bringing a sampling of their wares out for the Taste of Marco. With sunlight filtered by a parade of puffy clouds, the temperature was a ...
Nest Fest: Marco Eagle Sanctuary Foundation holds third annual event at Island Country Club Published 04/08/2013 at 12:14 p.m. 2 Comments
"Welcome to all my fine-feathered friends," said Linda Turner, kicking off the 2013 Nest Fest, Saturday evening at the Island Country Club. The sold-out gathering really was faux-feathered, with many of the ladies sporting feather boas and headdresses in
Bedind the scenes with the Island's 'Water Wizards' Published 04/04/2013 at 4:29 p.m. 16 Comments
When you turn on a faucet in your home, you expect the water to flow. And it does. You expect it to be clean and drinkable, and it is. But how often do you stop and think about what is ...
Marco's Easter dawn service at the beach turns 25 Published 04/01/2013 at 12:46 p.m.
Marco Island has been setting its alarm clocks early on Easter morning for a quarter century. Sunday morning, thousands thronged the beach behind the Madeira condominium and the Marriott hotel for the 25th Anniversary Easter Sunrise Service, trooping down
Springing into Easter: Kids swarm over Marco Island's Mackle Park for Spring Jubilee Published 04/01/2013 at 11:24 a.m. 3 Comments
Both the "egg roll" and the "roll away the stone" aspects of Easter brought thousands of Marco Islanders out for large scale get-togethers over the weekend. The Easter Bunny went to bat first, with the annual Spring Jubilee "eggs-travaganza" held ...
Putting out a contract: Marco Island police union, management work to negotiate new labor agreement Published 03/25/2013 at 12:20 p.m. 77 Comments
Sometimes, these things just take time – not to mention money. Even with two sides negotiating in good faith, the non-exempt officers of the Marco Island Police Department – sergeants and below – have been working without a contract in ...
Shrimpburger in Paradise: Marco Seafood and Music Festival features returns for fifth outing Published 03/25/2013 at 10:52 a.m.
Everybody got into the act. It took three civic organizations, the Marco Kiwanis plus the Sunrise and Noontime Rotary Clubs, to provide the volunteers and organization for the 2013 Seafood and Music Festival, held on Saturday and Sunday at Veterans' ...
'Current' affairs – Waterways Committee puts off seawalls, takes up navigation Published 03/25/2013 at 10:42 a.m. 3 Comments
Moving advisory board meetings to the city's Community Room, and putting them on television, seems to be bearing fruit as a strategy to encourage public participation. Thursday morning, the public comment portion of the Waterways Advisory Committee meetin
Marco Island Beach Advisory Committee works to keep Marco's crown jewel pristine Published 03/21/2013 at 12:42 p.m.
Marco's Beach Advisory Committee covered a lot of sand in their meeting on Wednesday. After welcoming new member Diane Hoover to her first meeting, they got down to a lengthy slate of beach-related business. The group heard from Collier County's ...
Cruising into history – Boat tour to Fakahatchee Island highlights wild past and present Published 03/21/2013 at 6 a.m.
Surrounded by our creature comforts, it can be almost unfathomable just how rugged and isolated life was for the pioneers who lived in this area just 100 years ago. There is an excursion boat, though, that can give you a ...
Blooming with art – Marco Island Center for the Arts had exhibits all over Published 03/18/2013 at 4 p.m.
Art was all over the place this weekend at the Marco Island Center for the Arts. The parking lot held a "Fine Crafts," or fine art and crafts show – "Fine crafts fits on the signs better," said organizer Pam ...
PHOTOS: Dottie's Duck Derby draws hundreds of entrants for Marco Y fundraiser Published 03/18/2013 at 2:37 p.m.
Pamplona may have the Running of the Bulls, but Marco Island has the Derby of the Ducks. Once again, Dottie's Duck Derby returned to the pool at the Greater Marco Family YMCA on Saturday, offering Islanders the chance to do ...
Sifting through the past: Volunteers become archaeologists in Marco Island's 'Big Sift' Published 03/14/2013 at 1:24 p.m. 1 Comment
For people apparently a lot of them who harbored fantasies of being an archaeologist, the lure was irresistible. The call went out for volunteers to assist in the “Big Sift,” culling through material unearthed in ancient Native American middens on ...
PHOTOS: Marco Island celebrates St. Patrick's Day early with parade, festival Published 03/11/2013 at 2:57 p.m.
Once again, Marco got a jump on the rest of the Irish-American world, holding the annual parade one week early. The Sons and Daughters of Erin's St. Patrick's Day Parade marched up Bald Eagle Drive on Sunday, and headed right ...
New on the art horizon – Goodland Arts Alliance hosts inaugural Arts & Music Festival Published 03/11/2013 at 12:33 p.m.
Art is boffo in Goodland. Even though it takes a little effort to find your way to MarGood Harbor Park, enough people did so on Sunday to keep the inaugural Harbor Arts & Music Festival bustling. The art show, with ...
Marco Business Expo – Businesses meet customers at annual Marco Island Chamber of Commerce event Published 03/07/2013 at 1:20 p.m.
Approaching the 2013 Marco Island Business Expo in the Capri Ballroom at the Marco Marriott, one could be forgiven for wondering if the main feature had already started, or previews of coming attractions were still playing. The aroma of buttered ...
'Mutts & Martinis' – Bedtime Bundles fundraiser brings out 500 to Marco Island's Esplanade Published 03/07/2013 at 11:30 a.m.
If the dogs and drinks charity event Wednesday evening was looking for an alternate name – they already have "Mutts and Martinis" plus "Yappy Hour" – the organizers might have given a nod to the weather and gone with "Iditarod ...
Carnival comes to town: The Fair on Marco benefits Marco Y and MICMS Published 03/05/2013 at 9:18 a.m.
This past weekend, Marco Island went to the fair. At least, those who were willing to brave a brisk wind and below average temperatures went, to the second annual Fair on Marco, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Veterans' Community Park. ...
Viva la Marco – Island's past and present collide at Historical Society gala Published 03/04/2013 at 2:31 p.m.
The "Viva La Marco" gala brought together Marco Island's historical past and culinary present Saturday evening, to help provide the Marco Island Historical Society with a bright future. A dozen historical figures in period dress mingled with the modern da
Two bears too much to bear for East Naples community Published 02/27/2013 at 5:15 a.m.
Two bears described as "enormous" broke into the screened porch of a 90-year-old East Naples woman's home Tuesday morning, tearing through screens and plastic windows, and dislodging metal panels.
Elvis drops in: Physicians Regional's Marco medical center off to a flying start Published 02/25/2013 at 4:55 p.m. 1 Comment
Elvis was in the house, in the air, on the soundsystem, and all over the parking lot. While the purpose of the "Rockin' Grand Opening" event was to introduce Physicians Regional new Marco Island medical clinic to local residents, the ...
Imagining a cancer-free world: ACS holds 'Imagination Ball' at Marco Marriott Published 02/25/2013 at 4:54 p.m.
For Allyson and Jim Richards, the reasons for supporting the American Cancer Society's Imagination Ball couldn't be more personal. The two are a couple, the second marriage for each, and both of them lost their first spouse to cancer.
New medical choice on Marco Island: Physicians Regional opens sparkling new 9,000 sq. ft. clinic on island; throws a party to celebrate Published 02/21/2013 at 11:25 a.m.
What Rick Locastro wanted Marco Island to know about the new Physicians Regional medical clinic is the level of commitment the hospital group is making to the island. Locastro, chief operating officer of Physicians Regional Healthcare System and a Marco ...
Work at Hideaway Beach begins in March Published 02/18/2013 at 3:01 p.m. 2 Comments
The three T-groins proposed to slow and reverse the erosion of the beach at Hideaway, erosion that is threatening two condominium buildings are designed and – nearly – contracted for, and barges are due to arrive on the island at ...
Breezin' along – Goodland Boat Parade goes from Broadway musicals to 'windy city' Published 02/18/2013 at 1:06 p.m.
The theme of this year's Goodland Boat Parade was "Broadway Musicals," but the event on Saturday will be remembered most for the boats "Blowin' in the Wind." The stiff breeze, with gusts up to approximately 30 knots, posed a real ...
Traffic jam: Kiwanis car show brings thousands of people and nearly 200 awesome autos to Marco Island Published 02/18/2013 at 10:13 a.m.
The only problem at the ninth annual Kiwanis car show, held Sunday outside the NCH Healthcare Center, was knowing where to look. At every turn of the head, more vintage vehicles, and some nice new ones, demanded attention. Thousands paid ...
Utilities, again – Marco Island City Council workshop delves into water and sewer issues Published 02/14/2013 at 1:12 p.m. 16 Comments
City Council held a workshop Wednesday, as they continue to grapple with utility rates and costs, one of the most contentious, longstanding, and certainly one of the most complex issues they face Meeting from 8 a.m. to 1 p.
'Forme de la Femme' – Marco Island Center for the Arts celebrates the female form Published 02/14/2013 at 12:16 p.m.
The Marco Island Center for the Arts opened their latest show Tuesday evening with a reception at the center’s gallery on Winterberry Drive. Entitled “Forme de la Femme,” the exhibit features new interpretations on an old th
Tens of thousands 'swamp' Everglades City for Seafood Festival Updated 02/11/2013 at 9:17 p.m.
Everglades City is a little off the beaten path. The former county seat of Collier County, it sits surrounded by the mangrove swamps of Everglades National Park, an old-fashioned fishing village where life goes by at a leisu
Marco Sunrise Rotary 'Party in the Park' draws light crowd Updated 02/11/2013 at 11:52 a.m. 5 Comments
Marco Island loves a party, but maybe there is a breaking point, after all. The second annual running of the Party in the Park, sponsored over the weekend by the Marco Island Sunrise Rotary, had the elements that usually wil
Jammin' in the Hammock – Bluegrass festival brings feel-good music to Collier-Seminole State Park Published 02/11/2013 at 11:12 a.m.
Perfect weather put the icing on the bluegrass cake for the sixth annual “Jammin’ in the Hammock,” the music festival sponsored by the Friends of Collier-Seminole State Park. Six bands, plus a Sunday morning “bluegrass gospe
A flurry of art – Artists spread out over Isles of Capri, Marco Island, Goodland for Wet Paint Live Published 02/07/2013 at 12:20 p.m.
It was somewhere between an art safari and a scavenger hunt. Carloads of Marco Islanders toured the area on Wednesday, tracking down artists as they daubed paint on their canvases, in this year’s Wet Paint Live. Nineteen loc
Hail to the Chieftains: Irish 'musical ambassadors' launch national tour at Phil Published 02/07/2013 at 5:10 a.m.
Perhaps not all of them have been together this long, but the Chieftains' name has been a public byword for inventive folk music for 50 years. The group kicks off its golden anniversary tour Saturday at the Philharmonic Center for ...
Chillin' at the Super Bowl: Marco Marriott's 'Big Game at the Beach' bash cool in all senses Published 02/04/2013 at 11:40 a.m.
If you remember going to football games up north, back in your previous life, you remember it got cold sometimes. Bundling up against the elements was part of the game, and for a younger child, those last five minutes of ...
Souped up fundraiser: Marco Island responds in a big way to inaugural 'Souper Bowl' fundraiser Published 02/04/2013 at 10:01 a.m.
As the Campbell’s commercials used to remind us all the time, “soup is good food.” It became even more nourishing at the “Souper Bowl” in Mackle Park on Saturday. Hundreds of Islanders and visitors came out to be a part ...
A lotta jam for not much bread – ‘Country Jam’ returns to Naples Published 02/01/2013 at 6 a.m.
Time to reconnect with your inner cowboy. After a hiatus of four years, Country Jam is coming back to Naples this weekend, bringing heartbroken ballads, Southern rock, and hard-twangin’ boot-scootin’ music from up-and-coming country artists.
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