The Gasparilla Island Bridge and Toll Authority currently has three elected voting board positions open in the November 6 general election.

Each elected GIBA board position is a four-year term with no compensation. All five publicly-elected GIBA “voting” members have the full power to vote and conduct the annual business of the GIBA Board via majority vote.

The Friends of Boca Grande Community Center are currently accepting 2012-2013 school-year applications for the after-school program and the Munchkin program.

Anyone interested in signing their children up for the programs is encouraged to call the Friends office and speak with Angela Colosimo at 964-0827.

BY MARCY SHORTUSE - Every year when school lets out, teachers and staff are still hard at work with leftover administrative duties from the year, and  are preparing for the next. For Head of School Rosa Ramos, this year is more than a little melancholy. She is packing up for good after six years with The Island School, and will soon be headed to the place of her birth, Puerto Rico.

Ramos has big plans for the next phase in her life. She and her husband will not only be going home, Rosa will be opening her own preschool. She will also be helping her sister take care of her mother, and spending time with family.

Coyotes may be pretty, but if you have small pets or kids you don’t want them in your backyard. This photo was taken in the backyard of a residence at the south end of the island this week, and this ‘yote was apparently not too afraid of the person taking the picture.
 

They have been known to eat small pets and their curiousity might take them right up to a small child as well. Be careful when dealing with all wildlife ... no matter how beautiful it appears to be.                                                                

Photo submitted