FWC votes 4-3 to pursue jig ban Friday, 14 June 2013 14:00 BY MARCY SHORTUSE - In a decision that will change the face of tarpon fishing in Boca Grande Pass, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission voted 4-3 to pass a proposal to create new definitions for the term “snagging,” and decided to proceed with a draft ruling that would prohibit the use of bottom-weighted jigs as well. Read the Full Story

Beacon buys Gasparilla Gazette Friday, 14 June 2013 13:59 The Boca Beacon, Boca Grande’s locally-owned newspaper for 33 years, has purchased the Gasparilla Gazette. The purchase agreement with Breeze Newspapers of Cape Coral was made final this week. Read the Full Story

Be free, manatee: Two native 'tees released back to their home on Thursday Friday, 14 June 2013 13:53 Representatives from Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo made a very special trip to the island on Thursday, June 13, with some very unique cargo. Read the Full Story

Boca Grande still a 'best little beach town' Friday, 14 June 2013 13:50 Once again, Boca Grande finds itself on a list of top 10 places, this time as one of America’s best little beach towns as listed by CNN. Read the Full Story

Island sea turtle patrol experiencing funding snag, but still hitting the beaches Friday, 14 June 2013 13:45 BY MARCY SHORTUSE - The Gasparilla Island Turtle Patrol has had a bit of bad luck lately, between Tropical Storm Andrea and a new development that has stopped their funding cold for the moment.
According to Grace Harvey, the permit holder for Gasparilla Island, the Coastal Wildlife Club has taken away the money they need to operate ... and all because of a matter of security. Read the Full Story

Local surfers goin’ to Cali Friday, 14 June 2013 13:44 BY LIZA STROUT - When Mila Wyman and the rest of the Florida Atlantic University’s Surf Team finished one point off first place in the 2013 National Scholastic Surfing Association’s East Coast Regional Championship in April, they knew that they were going to be heading to California for the national competition. Read the Full Story

Profile: Lynne Warberg Friday, 14 June 2013 10:31 BY MARCY SHORTUSE - Lynne Warberg has played many roles in her lifetime. She’s been the relish girl, the Playboy bunny, the receptionist, the photographer, the author and the mom. Her long and winding path to Boca Grande is more than just interesting ... it’s a testament to just what a woman can do all on her own. And just what she did was become a very well-known photographer, and she will be helping out shooting pictures from the Boca Beacon from time to time as well. Read the Full Story

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FWC votes 4-3 to pursue jig ban
BY MARCY SHORTUSE - In a decision that will change the face of tarpon fishing in Boca Grande Pass, the...
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Profile: Dr. Frank Downing

24 February 2012 Last Updated on 24 February 2012 Marcy Shortuse

If there was ever a lover of the written word, it is Dr. Frank Downing. The former English teacher, football coach, and academic athletic advisor has spent the last three winters on Gasparilla Island teaching the children at The Island School to love poetry, to understand Shakespeare, and to communicate through writing.

One of his primary objectives is to teach and encourage children to write from an early age.

“Most kids have a huge listening vocabulary,” he said. “Next is speaking, and then reading. By the time you get to their writing vocabulary, it’s next to nothing.”

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Hope for Haiti to meet on Tuesday

24 February 2012 Last Updated on 24 February 2012 Marcy Shortuse

Angel Aloma, the executive director of Food for the Poor, is scheduled to address the Boca Grande Committee at an event that will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 6 p.m. at the Boca Bay Power House. Committee members include Ben and Louise Scott, the Rev. Gary Beatty, the Rev. Bryan Brightly, the Rev. Jerome Carosella, the Rev. Read Heydt, George and Lois Castrucci, Patricia Chapman, Ray and Iliene Corcoran, Charlie and Florita Field, Evelyn Finnegan, Lou and Corie Fusz, Stephen and Susan Jansen, Tom and Nancy Lorden, Colvin and Madelaine McCrady, and John and Pauline Mendez.

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5K to be held Sunday

24 February 2012 Last Updated on 24 February 2012 Marcy Shortuse

The Boca Grande Community Center is looking for volunteers to help with their 5K Run & Fun Walk on Sunday, February 26th.

Volunteers are needed from 6:45 to 8:30 a.m. to help as course monitors. The race monitors will direct runners throughout the course. No experience is necessary, just a friendly and encouraging smile. If you're interested in helping to make the race a big success, please call Joe Wier or Bob Green at 964-2564.

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Come greet the Big Red Bus and roll up those shirtsleeves

24 February 2012 Last Updated on 24 February 2012 Marcy Shortuse

BY LIZA STROUT - Ladies and gentlemen of Boca Grande, it is time to roll up your sleeves for a good cause. Take an hour out of your day to visit the Big Red Bus when it stops at the United Methodist Church of Boca Grande on Tuesday, Feb. 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This is the first general blood drive on the island in years. It all came about because island resident Jane Caple saw the Big Red Bus in Tiffany Square and stopped to get information. “I learned that 60% of people are eligible to donate blood, but only six percent actually do,” she reported.

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Boca Bargains doing well ... too well?

24 February 2012 Marcy Shortuse

The ladies who volunteer at Boca Bargains, the island’s hottest thrift store and boutique, are looking at some pretty bare shelves right now. Season is in full shopping swing and they need your help.

It has been a record year and what were once-plentiful stores of goods are becoming sparser and sparser. The ladies of the Boca Grande Woman’s Club are requesting assistance in producing more clothes, accessories, furniture and housewares to stock the shop through the rest of season.

Donations are accepted from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Monday, Wednesday and Saturdays. If you are delivering a large donation, please call Jan at 964-0562 or JoAnn at 964-2309.

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