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July 27, 2010
Posted July 27th, 2010 at 7:30 pm by Michele Harrison
This morning many Collier County residents gathered for the County Commissioner’s meeting as the Jackson Lab debate was up front and center. Residents began gathering early this morning to make sure they got a seat in the room for this exciting meeting.
In the end, the Commisioners voted 4 to 1 to allow a funding evaluation to take place that can be implemented as soon as state money becomes available. Commisioner Henning was the one opposing vote.
It was said that the money would likely come from short-term “interfund loans” meaning it could be taken from one or more departments. With Country Manager Leo Orchs repeating that the funding option was only a short-term solution, it was made clear that the Commissioners would have to re-visit funding for the project for 2012. And, Commissioners were clear about not being in favor of increasing property taxes to support the project.
For complete details of the meeting and the latest updates, go to http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2010/jul/27/collier-commission-blog-jackson-lab-supporters-fil/
July 2, 2010
Posted July 2nd, 2010 at 6:37 pm by Michele Harrison
Can you imagine what our Founding Fathers must have been feeling as they wrote, signed, and put in to law our Declaration of Independence back on July 4, 1776?
Think about being in the room as they drafted, “All men are created equal” and “that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Talk about a powerful experience. I often wonder what men like: Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Alexander Hamilton and the others would think of America today.
After all, it was through their efforts that we became a free nation. It is because of them that we have celebrated this glorious holiday with parades, fireworks, family gatherings, etc. throughout the years. In fact, this will be the 234th year for celebrating the Fourth of July. Although, it officially became a recognized holiday in 1870, and then became a legal national holiday in 1938.
I would recommend checking out the www.History.com website for a plethora of information about July 4th – from images, to videos, to movies, etc. It will definitely get you in the spirit of the holiday!
For local events go to the Naples Daily News site at www.naplesnews.com
Wishing everyone a Happy 4th of July!
Categories: Holiday Wishes, Human Interest
Tags: 1776, 1870, 1938, 4th of July, Alexander Hamilton, America, Benjamin Franklin, Declaration of Independence, family gatherings, fireworks, Founding Fathers, free nation, George Washington, John Adams, July 4th, parades, Thomas Jefferson, www.history.com, www.naplesnews.com —
June 30, 2010
Posted June 30th, 2010 at 9:54 pm by Michele Harrison
I wanted to take a moment to let everyone know that there is no oil on our beaches here in Naples!
With all the coverage lately showing oil coming ashore in other areas of the Gulf of Mexico, it is important that we get the word out that Collier County has not seen any of it yet on our coastline. In fact, the Naples Daily News reported that the county’s summer marketing campaign has focused on the message that the beaches are clean and the county is open for business. According to Collier County’s Tourism Director, Jack Wert, surveys have shown that the the “unspoiled environment” and the “white, sandy beaches” were the most influential factors bringing visitors to our area lately.
Stated in a recent report given to County Commissioners:
- “There were 111,700 visitors staying in hotels or other short-term rentals last month, up 3.9 percent from 107,500 in May 2009.”
- “Hotel occupancy rose 2.3 percent in May, compared to the same month a year ago.”
- “The total economic impact of tourism reached nearly $98.3 million last month, up 5.4 from a year ago.”
Even with the above positive statistics related to tourism, I think there is some concern that exists out there about vacationing on Florida beaches in general. People have to be told explicitely that our area is fine; otherwise, they assume our beaches look like the ones they are seeing on the national news.
Make sure to spread the word!
Categories: 55+ Living, Boating, Environment, Human Interest, Naples News
Tags: beaches, Collier County, Collier County Tourism Director, county commissioners, economic impact, Florida, Florida beaches, Gulf of Mexico, hotel occupancy, hotels, Jack Wert, Naples, Naples Daily News, no oil in Naples, short-term rentals, tourism, unspoiled environment, white sandy beaches —
June 27, 2010
Posted June 27th, 2010 at 6:48 pm by Michele Harrison
This weekend, the Humane Society Naples celebrated its 50th Anniversary with a Grand Re-opening! Congratulations to them!!!
Construction over the past year is finally complete, and a state-of-the-art shelter and adoption center is now open! To celebrate this event the festivities included: music, tours, demonstrations, food, treats for the kids and lots of “bow-WOW!” Adoptable pets also showed off the incredible new surroundings, and visitors were able to see the latest in shelter technology and procedures available.
The Humane Society Naples is our local Collier County no-kill shelter that has been giving animals loving homes for 50 years now. Without a doubt, we all should show our support for this wonderful organization. If you get a chance take some time to go visit the updated facility, and consider bringing a new friend home with you to become part of your family!
For more information of the Humane Society of Naples, visit http://www.collierhumanesoc.org.
June 16, 2010
Posted June 16th, 2010 at 11:03 pm by Michele Harrison
Forbes.com just released a story a few days ago naming Collier County as the number one relocation destination for wealthy Americans. After analyzing IRS data on moves between counties across the US, Forbes found our county to lead the way for areas where the rich are moving to in large numbers.
According to the report, “Tax returns accounting for 15,150 people showed moves to Collier County from other parts of the country in 2008, the latest year for which IRS data is available. Their average reported income: $76,161 per person–equivalent to $304,644 for a family of four. Although slightly more taxpayers moved out of Collier County than into it, the departing residents’ average income came out to just $26,128 per person. Households that moved to Collier County principally came from other parts of Florida, with Lee, Miami Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Orange counties leading the list. Big northern cities also sent lots of migrants: Cook County, Ill. (home to Chicago); Oakland County, Mich. (near Detroit); and Suffolk County, N.Y. (on Long Island) each sent more than 100 people to Collier County during 2008.”
Clearly our year round beautiful weather coupled with low taxes has been seen as an attractive combination by many of our fellow Americans!
To view the entire story, go to – Forbes.com
Categories: 55+ Living, Human Interest, Naples News
Tags: Broward, Collier County, counties, Florida, Forbes, Forbes.com, IRS, Lee, Miami Dade, Michigan, New York, Orange, Palm Beach, rich, Suffolk county, tax returns, US, wealthy Americans —
June 6, 2010
Posted June 6th, 2010 at 8:10 pm by Michele Harrison
Have you heard about ‘Summer with Seuss’ at the Naples Zoo? I hadn’t heard about it until I saw an article in the Naples Daily News the other day, and I am so excited! It is going to be great for not only the kids, but adults as well as so many generations have grown up with Dr. Seuss books. In fact, the article I read said there were 44 books written between 1937 and 1990. That helps explain why Dr. Seuss became such an artistic and cultural phenomenon for generations of families.
According to the article, the Naples Zoo now has these traveling garden sculptures in the forms of some of the most famous characters of the Dr. Seuss books such as: the Cat in the Hat, Sam I Am, the Lorax, the Grinch and Yertle the Turtle. I have to say that just mentioning their names, makes me laugh and think back to fun family times!
After reading about the exhibit, it sounds like they have a very well-rounded program developed for this at the Zoo. Aside from the 4- to 6-foot large-scale bronze sculptures, kids will learn about the history of the Dr. Seuss books, gain information about conservation, listen in on book readings, and even participate in theater performances. The Zoo has even created a scavenger hunt around the Dr. Seuss theme, and the gift shop will showcase pieces from the “Secret Art Collection of Dr. Seuss.”
With so many activities centered on characters that have been a part of families for the past 60 years, you just can’t miss it!
Check it out – the Naples Zoo – http://www.caribbeangardens.com/
Categories: Human Interest, Naples News
Tags: 1937, 1990, Dr. Seuss, families, family, Naples Zoo, Sam I Am, Summer with Seuss, the Cat in the Hat, the Grinch, the Lorax, Yertle the Turtle —
May 29, 2010
Posted May 29th, 2010 at 12:56 pm by Michele Harrison
Memorial Day not only kicks off summer with parades, the beach, and barbecue, but it also commemorates and honors those that have made the ultimate sacrifice by defending our nation throughout history.
The holiday began back during Civil War times when over 600,000 soldiers were lost, and families began placing flowers and flags on the tombstones of deceased soldiers. On May 5, 1866 the city of Waterloo, NY decided to close down business for the day to decorate the town and grave sites of their fallen soldiers to honor them. With so many families across the Nation having been affected, both North and South, other cities and towns began to follow in the footsteps of Waterloo, NY. John A. Logan, the head of the Union Veteran Association, decided to combine all of the decoration services into one national holiday called National Decoration Day celebrated on May 30th.
Until World War I, the South did not take well to the combined national holiday since they felt the outcome of the Civil War was not victorious for them, and many of the southern cities still conducted their own ceremonies separately from the nationally recognized day. However, after World War I the Nation bonded together after sharing in the loss of loved ones and began celebrating the holiday as one. At the turn of the century the holiday became known as Memorial Day, and on Armistice Day in 1921 the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was laid honoring all those that never made it home. In 1971 the holiday was established as a Federal Holiday giving people a three day weekend.
If you have a few minutes I found a very touching video on the History.com website that pays tribute to our soldiers. It only takes a few minutes, so check it out.
- “A Memorial Day Tribute” –
http://www.history.com/topics/memorial-day-history/videos#a-memorial-day-tribute
Please take a second this weekend to recognize the many Americans that have given up their lives for the freedom we all enjoy each and every day, and to thank those that are still defending our nation right now!
Happy Memorial Day!!!
Categories: Holiday Wishes, Human Interest
Tags: 1866, 1921, 1971, Americans, Armistice Day, barbecue, beach, Civil War, History.com, John. A. Logan, Memorial Day, National Decoration Day, NY, parades, soldiers, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Waterloo, Word War I —
May 25, 2010
Posted May 25th, 2010 at 8:17 pm by Michele Harrison
What do you really know about the oil spill? Have you been able to follow everything that has been going on? Does some of it seem a bit confusing?
I know that I have heard a great deal of information about the spill, but I have not always been able to follow the explanations given. They sometimes get a bit technical and are hard to understand. For those of us not completely up to speed with the oil and gas industry, I thought it would be helpful to pass the below link along…
http://www.bp.com/sectiongenericarticle.do?categoryId=9033573&contentId=7061702
Granted, the link takes you to a section on the BP website, which some may say can be seen as slanted in their favor, but at least it gives detailed information to help explain what has been going on with the containment and clean up efforts. This section of the site contains: write-ups, images, videos and diagrams to help users understand what is and has been going on with this whole situation.
When you can find a few minutes, I would suggest checking it out!
May 14, 2010
Posted May 14th, 2010 at 5:30 pm by Michele Harrison
As a long time supporter and member of the Naples Humane Society, I came across a fundraising event happening this weekend that I wanted to let everyone know about!
According to the Naples Daily News, there is a “Dog Wash” happening this Saturday, May 15th sponsored by RBC Bank benefiting both the Humane Society and the PAWS organizations. In its fourth year, the event features doggie washing, pet psychics, a pet photographer, Camp Bow Wow of Naples, doggy daycare, Brookes Legacy with wonderful dogs for adoption, and raffles and silent auctions items. You can also watch therapy dogs in training!
Event Information:
Saturday, May 15th
9 a.m. to 2 p.m
RBC Bank at 9190 Galleria Court
(located on NW corner of Vanderbilt and Airport Rd)
For more information on the Naples Humane Society visit – http://www.collierhumanesoc.org
For more information on the PAWS organization visit – http://www.pawsassistancedogs.com
Why not stop by and show some support!
May 9, 2010
Posted May 9th, 2010 at 8:38 pm by Michele Harrison
In lieu of Mother’s Day, I thought it would be fun to pass on a few famous mom quotes made throughout history. Moms have always made a significant impact in our lives, so I hope you enjoy these…
“If you bungle raising your children, I don’t think whatever else you do well matters very much.”
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
“Men are what their mothers made them.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Most mothers are instinctive philosophers.”
Harriet Beecher Stowe
“The mother’s heart is the child’s schoolroom.”
Henry Ward Beecher, US Congressional clergyman
“When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child.”
Sophia Loren, Women and Beauty
“There is only one pretty child in the world, and every mother has it.”
Chinese Proverb
“Being a full-time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs… since the payment is pure love.”
Mildred B. Vermont
Happy Mother’s Day!!!
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