"Legally Blonde," presented by students in Florida Rep's Conservatory Program, plays three shows next weekend only. Performances (in the ArtStage Studio Theatre) are 7 p.m. Friday, May 31 and 2 p.m. & 7 p.m. Saturday, June 1. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students. Call (239) 332-4488 or floridarep.org.

"Get out those writing tools, think about those crazy backyard varmints, and start sending me some good ole fashion fun stories!"

Join me for coffee and conversation

We casually toss superlatives around these days. Conversations are replete with words like "amazing, stunning, extraordinary" and more. Derogatory adjectives are applied with just as much vigor. We've become so immune to the effects of such words that we must...

Local news, by the letters.

The Progressives are already changing history

The devil made me do it.

It is amazing what we can learn from this stupid game!

"...As I notice more of my own wrinkles, folds and puffs, I notice my mother’s aging process seems to have reversed itself..."

What were they thinking, if they were thinking at all?

Cincinnati and Reading are playing in the conference finals, and the defending champion Everblades are done. Team president/general manager Craig Brush says that Greg Poss will be back as head coach. The team and Germain Arena are for sale, but...

I'm a big take-out girl. For most of the last 20 years I have dined out more often than in. Over the last 15 months I have transitioned from dining out to take-out. I'm pretty good in the kitchen...

Common sense is not so common; Voltaire

As our country clearly wants more common sense gun control [85%-91%].
Less than 60 of 100 of our elected U.S Senators voted for it. They voted NO, in an effort only to protect thier jobs. The facts show they DO NOT represent 9 of 10 Americans today.

That old time saying now applies to your photography.  From time to time I like to post on new technology and here's something I've had my eye on for awhile that's not only become affordable but is truly amazing.  How'd...

Our country is still struggling to recover from a depressions, unemployment is inordinately high, and the method of calculating this number is so bizarre that it doesn't factor in ninety million able bodied, working age people who are NOT employed....

Barron Collier High was near the top on the U.S. News & World Report's high school rankings, released today. The Naples school ranked 31 of 777 public schools in Florida and 486 of about 21,000 nationwide. It was the only...

A farewell reporting of a blog entry by Barry Willoughby

Learn how the Greater Naples Better Government Committee rates your most recently elected City of Naples City Council Members

Selecting a builder is more than a contract. It is more analogous to choosing a partner in a serious relationship.

Health care costs are rising much faster than wages.

How YOU can help

A message to Nike about Tiger Woods advertisement:

As the trial of two high school football players charged with rape is underway in Steubenville, the national spotlight has returned to this small Ohio town. While this may seem to be an isolated incident, sexual assault occurs with...

Gun Violence in America

Yes, we will miss all of you!

Can you guess which change
I didn't make to Go Hydrology?

Are you thinking about remodeling your bathroom?

Have you torn out a collection of magazine pages showing beautiful baths clad in white marble and white fixtures?

While white fixtures will remain timeless, the color choices for your walls are shifting towards darker grays. (Gray = American while Grey = UK)

Tony discusses customer feedback and how passion drives the business. Also, he shares the story behind his Carrot Cake recipe.

Potential Market Impact of Sequestration and the Debt Ceiling

Indiana University-Bloomington Maurer School of Law Class of 2016!

30 Days of election and we will have a new leader in under 39 hours.

Life poured into written word the laws of our country.

Good fishing despite the winy weather.

It happened Sunday morning ...

What are the most painful choices we face protecting our watershed?

Well today is the last day of the Food Stamp Challenge. It has been an interesting week. I am certainly glad that it is over. Yet I have learned a number of things from this experience. When I began the...

When university faculty insert actual voter registration into an academic curriculum that narrowly embraces distinct ethic then how can it be construed as being anything but the partisan coercion of students beholden to their instructors for their grades?

Whether you think it’s wise or workable to require politicians to make public every burp and cough is not the story’s point. The governor drew attention to the issue with a new plan, and gave it an impressive name.

Democrat Liberal have already initiated the Mediscare attacks.

Byron Donalds receives Herman Cain's endorsement for Congress!

In the nature of Naples Center for Critical Thinking we have now started the same type club on Marco Island. We are in the early stage but certainly will grow and learn. The name for the club is, perhaps unique, Point … Counterpoint.

Next club meeting, open to all, is on Wednesday February 29, 2012 from 1:00 to 2:30 at the YMCA on Marco Island.

The hot topic is The 99% vs. 1% - Is it real? Is this class warfare? How is this debate affecting America?

Background on the column.

“Did Not Survive” opens with veteran, and pregnant, zookeeper Iris Oakley trapped in a hopeless situation as she attempts to save Zoo Foreman, Kevin Wallace, from an apparent elephant attack.

I don't like politics, but there seems to be no way of getting completely free from its tentacles.

When she opens her mouth, hypocrisy flows and fact checking is essential.

independent voters have more responsibility then just voting in general elections; our political two party system actually does not want the 35 to 40 percent of the decision makers in the general election to have any responsibilty in selecting the primary candidates.

A startling announcement from the National Collegiate Athletic Association that will change college and professional sports forever

"Marriage" and More!

The Collier County Board of Commissioners today recognized Salazar Machine & Steel, Inc. as Business of the Month. Designed to be a joint program between Collier County Government and the Economic Development Council of Collier County (EDC), Business of the...

Fantasy sports are all of the rage today. How about we try a round of fantasy politics

As the summer of 2011 and "the heat dome" hits over 75 percent of the U.S., it is this time of the year that the "true" hockey fan starts to wonder what the upcoming season will bring. The Blades will...

Some of the people from last night’s concert traveled into Prague just to hear us again. Both concerts were well attended and three encores at each show.

On the last article we addressed hacking away at the unessentials. Unessentials are things that we actually don't need. Things like oxygen, water, food, clothing, and a house over your head are truly essential items. Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, television, and...

Do you the difference between "weather" and "climate?" I thought I did, until I started preparing for a paper at the recent American Meteorological Society conference in Oklahoma City, OK. Now, I'm looking for input from others...

The green tunnel has arrived! So far on my journey I've hiked 416 miles. It's amazing what the human body is capable of doing. That being said, those miles are not done with zero pain. Blisters, bruises, and horrible swelling....

A House bill that provides that Floridians cannot be mandated to purchase health insurance passed through the Florida Senate on Tuesday. House Bill 1193, sponsored by Rep. Matt Hudson, has already passed through the House. "This legislation protects the individual...

And now my daughter, soon to graduate from FGCU, has to leave?

The 2011 March Florida Panther Update is now available on-line!  

If you don’t prepare ahead of time, ‘You’re Screwed’ said the Little Red Hen

Yesterday, I realized how close I came to transforming back into a my past self. A self whose life revolved around my credit score and the cleanliness of my office desk. What I was like thirteen months ago. Thirteen months...

Just so you’ll think twice before calling me a right wing Republican extremist, let me tell you a little bit about myself. First, yes, I am a registered Republican, but other than Ronald Reagan and Gerald Ford, my votes have gone independent.

How to run an effective local campaign

I've had trouble, how about you?

Changes involving long held moral and religious positions are highly emotional and require much time and effort to effect in a positive way

Americans throw away 25 percent more trash between Thanksgiving and New Year’s as compared to any other time of the year. The extra waste amounts to about 1.2 million extra tons per week (or an extra 6 million tons during the entire holiday season) and is being predicted to be roughly the same for this year even in light of the economic downturn.

Deficit Commission report outlines the challenge ahead

People who suffer from burnout often feel fatigued, sapped emotionally and tired just doing the day to day grind. Tempers can get a little short or a reaction may seem like an overreaction to a small incident. You might see someone who is much less productive than they were before, or exhibit a more “I don’t care” attitude.

There’s a significant issue that plagues our great nation, yet it gets relatively little political attention—education at inner-city schools. In a country as great as ours, it’s inexcusable that only five out of thirty kids will show up to their English class on a Friday afternoon at West Philadelphia High School. Where's the political will to do something?

This invasion of France, the second one, will be successful.

What the School Board does now, can set the stage for future progress!

Stand up to slips, You can't afford to let them slide!

That starts with T which rhymes with P which stands for ... dirty pool

Occasionally, people are going to suffer a public meltdown that will be amplified by a combination of media and internet. The funny thing about meltdowns is that they always attract attention, but can have very different implications.

The NAA has made serious errors of judgment in proceeding with its largely secret plan to expand the runways to enable large regional commercial jets to use the Naples airport and two commissioners who's terms are ending should not be reappointed.

First of all, this installment is NOT about dogs! It is about (as the song says) those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer. And known as the "dog days" of summer, August is the month when it is simply too...

How does one test for creativity? There is a huge difference between assessing acquired skills like technical development and actual creativity; and that is the purpose of this installment of Chalk Dust & Paper Cuts. It was the mid-1970s when...

What are probiotics and prebiotics? Are they beneficial for your health? Read on to lear more . . .

America Needs to Be More Self-Sufficient

This is the day. The day we reach our final destination, Houston. The excitement this morning is palpable. The riders are ready, the support team is ready. Lets roll. We eat, we pack up and hit the road. Much love...

Get ready for the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth! There are decisions made on your behalf that don't always make it into the media.

Maintenance, your money's worth?

Naples News Media Group web sites received 182,249 page views Sunday, more than 40,000 page views over the same day last year. We exceeded 6.2 million page views for the month, a 32 percent increase over the 4.7 million page views received in February 2009.

The campaign for Central Bark has begun!

Sometimes I wonder what people are thinking…or not…when they are trying to cross a road or walk along a street or highway.

Let this be a one-stop shop for questions, answers

Please start posting them below

Three new restaurants come to Naples

Come to our third Program of the Season on Tuesday, Jan.5th at The Conservancy of SW Florida auditorium at 7:30pm to hear Dr. Jerry Jackson talk about these marvelous creatures.

Discount for members of the Irish American Club

Master entertainer Louis Prima died in 1978, but he remains as popular as ever, mainly due to the efforts of his widow, Gia Maione.

Answer: Cap and Trade

The Blades Blog has a new address

Please share your experiences with this bug and its vaccine

Sustainable Tour Across North America, from Naples to the Pacific Northwest, to the Midwest, to the Great Lakes, Southeast...and back to Florida.

Feel lost and confused as to what is going on in prep sports? Is Adam Fisher not doing a good enough job on his stories? Don't worry, your good friend Nick is here to shed some light on everything you have been missing out on!

The live blog for this week's Collier County Commission meeting begins Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009, at 9 a.m.

eNewsletter expert puts it all in perspective for professional service providers

Daily News staffer again tackles college and pro football picks.

Sometimes kindness, real and metaphorical, occurs in unexpected places, if only we take the time to look for it.

The students from the Bonita Springs Middle School's chapter of the National Junior Honor Society were out this morning at 8:45 am before school started to weed the Edible Garden. Giving a new meaning to the phrase, sweat labor, these kids were getting dirty and sweaty before their first period.

Welcome to this blog. I am running for election to the Marco Island City Council, and am very interested in what you, the voters on Marco Island, desire in your city government. I have developed a website http://www.magel4marco.com , you can read additional information about me, my position on some of the current issues, and thoughts on making city government more responsive to the citizens.
I believe my management experience in lean, cost effective operations and strong financial management are needed at this time in Marco’s history. I have been involved in numerous governmental committees serving the citizens on Marco and Collier County. My campaign theme is “ An Independent Voice – For A Change”, and if elected will work to represent the citizens of Marco balancing your requirements for services with the realities of the economy in these difficult financial times.
Please let me have your thoughts

Christopher Ellis gets a surprise aboard the USS Ronald Reagan that brightens his day.

Managing Editor of Local Content Allen Bartlett's staff review for the week. For entries prior to this blog, go to the Daily News Staff Directory and click on Allen Bartlett's page on the staff directory.

An introduction to 'propaganda'

I bid you adieu!

I chastised myself for worrying about Ghanaians holding their own on the world stage as I eavesdropped on the two very astute Ghanaian nationals giving my fellow Americans a real run. I already appreciate how good we Americans are in these matters. I felt pride, too for the Ghanaians so up to the challenge. These people are important to me now, too.

Matt Hudson expects to be busy this year.

Councilman Wayne Waldack, here, reporting back from Orlando, where the annual Florida League of Cities Conference was held.

Here is a list of online links that were published in the Daily News today. Click on each line to find more information about articles you read in print or online.

Should we really scold students for top performance?

We're in a whole new world of employment -- one that has continued (and will continue) to evolve and one that is MUCH different from the employment world of our parents and grand-parents. The days of joining a company that you stay at and retire from are LONG GONE and will likely never return again. Job changes occur more and more frequently and career changes are more common than ever before.

The longer I stay unemployed the longer employers will not look at me.
This is getting frustrating and discouraging by the day. No matter what I do, it seems like it is a constant cat and mouse game. The employers being the mice and the unemployed being the cat. The cat works diligently to make the perfect mouse trap, making it enticing with cheese or peanut butter.

I just stumbled upon this page while using the computers to apply for jobs at the Agency for Workforce Innovation office here in Naples today. I have been looking for a permanent position for the past 18 months.

It has been suggested that I might consider returning to college for a two-year degree that would lead to a very in-demand job later.

My name is Jake Haap and I've been unemployed for almost eight months now. I am a Vietnam vet and realize the importance of having a job that is secure.
What I find amazing is that, due to the fact we live here in Florida, an employer can let you go for any reason under the sun, even if he or she had a lousy weekend! LOL.

As an employer of health professionals over several decades, I am aware of the many pitfalls potential candidates may encounter. An applicant will succeed if they portray themselves honestly and professionally. You may have been a good candidate, but not portraying yourself as a professional may lessen your chance to work in your chosen field.

Marco Islanders' old cell phones can create a great benefit for our troops abroad

Picks 31 and 32: Arizona Cardinals and Pittsburgh Steelers

On Easter Sunday, I listened to a sermon given by Reverend Richard Rogers of Unity Church of Naples, Florida about Ta-Dah! moments in life. As he was talking, I had a Ta-Dah! moment myself. You know, Ta-Dah!, that moment of ultimate realization when it hits you and the light bulb clicks on very brightly.

Launch Starting May 5th

My biggest concern with the existing labor market is the number of jobs supposedly available online that I keep applying to, and never seem to get an interview. The jobs are always wanting you to sign up for further education. However, that does not apply to me, since I am currently studying.

I have been looking for a job for the past two years. During this time, I have a filled out a ton of applications and sent my resume to a bunch of daycare centers. Still, nothing.

Whether our economy is vibrant or not, employers will always have expectations when hiring new workers. After all, the recruitment, selection, training and retention of employees leads to an important investment for every firm - large or small!

So, you want to know about getting back into the work force. Well, I’m not out of work by choice.

I have been desperately searching for regular employment since relocating to Southwest Florida in October 2007. We both had been living in Tampa since 2002, and were married in June 2007. I have been practicing law in the Tampa Bay area since 2002.

I have been out of work for eight months now due to budget cuts. I have been searching every day, constantly in the Naples Daily News, the Fort Myers News Press, SnagAJob.com, craiglist and much more.

When I was laid-off from my job of six years from a real estate developer (no big surprise) in August I was not that upset. I had accumulated a comfortable amount of savings and thought a bit of time off might be nice. Boy was I wrong!

Performing well before, during and after the interview.

Jerry's views on the labor market and a description of the thoughts he will focus on in his posts.

Your resume is your calling card. A professional resume paints a favorable picture of you long before the interviewing process begins. A poorly written resume can ruin your chances of ever getting that first telephone call.

n every class I teach at Hodges University, students tell me they are either unemployed or their dependent is out of work. However, I’m glad to see that they realize the importance of education and believe that education pays back, even in difficult economic times.

These are arguably the most difficult times any of us have had to endure, with indications that the light at the end of the tunnel isn't anywhere near.

The Puerto Rican national team takes on the Minnesota Twins at Hammond Stadium.

Question: What part of the body moves first during the downswing?

Daily News visual journalist Greg Kahn won first place in the Individual Audio Slideshow category for his digital piece, "Out of prison, still doing time," about a Fort Myers ex-felon trying to get a second chance. This National Press Photographers Association award included photographers from major metropolitan markets.

Time to go ... and an MVP from Glades Central

Allow me to get off of the Pop Culture Pedestal for a second and retell one of the most moving and inspiring stories I've ever heard, from my drama professor Sid Homan. I hope that, upon reading it, you feel as ready to take on the world as I do.

Well done Dr. Gray!

Wherein summer equals winter

Officials with the Collier County Supervisor of Elections Office determined Tuesday night that the 1,000 faulty ballots have white blemishes in the tracking area on the left-hand margin. This prevented the machines from scanning them properly.

Cross country, like other sports, is about teamwork

Kona Grill, an American grill and sushi bar, announced that it has closed its restaurant in Naples, according to a press release on the company's Web site.

Boating forecast for Friday, Sept. 12

TROPICAL STORM WATCH CONTINUES IN EFFECT FOR THE SOUTHWEST FL GULF COASTAL WATERS. AT 800 AM EDT THE CENTER OF HURRICANE IKE WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 21.1 NO. LONGITUDE 77.9 WEST. THIS LOCATION IS ABOUT 360 MILES SE OF MIAMI OR ABOUT 430 MILES SE OF NAPLES.

Flowers? They die too fast. Chocolate? Better, but there’s only so many Harshey kisses you can enjoy without making yourself sick. Champagne? Now THAT is something both you and your sweetie (or just you if you are single and still feel like celebrating) can really enjoy together. Here's a guide to score a great bottle of sparkling wine without going broke...

I would like to give you a run-down of the many subjects involved with boating safety in the form of a quick Q&. I number them for easy recall.

Now that the baseball season has come and gone, I can't help but remember the good, bad, and downright ugly things that happened this year...

Here we are in October already and I haven’t even started thinking about Halloween yet. I have to say, Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. Even though it has become commercialized like everything else it is still a lot of fun. I enjoy the weather at this time of year (it is a little cooler) and it is the one time of year you actually see some of your neighbors. I am sad that many places have decided to stop celebrating Halloween and are instead calling it a Fall Festival. I guess Halloween is not PC.

The season finally ended and what a year it was. We took the season to the last possible day you can have in Minor League Baseball.

Margie Ogle is an Accredited Staging Professional (ASP™ ) and a member of the International Association of Home Staging Professionals (IAHSP ™).

As I write this, we're hours away from the first preseason game, and I'm fired up.

The sandy beaches and the gorgeous warm waters of Marco Island can make for the perfect day unless you are one of the unfortunate ones that encounter a Dasyatidae, also known as stingrays.

The snook bite is going off on the beaches! The best time to get out there with a fly rod is at daybreak but the bite can last well into the heat of the afternoon if conditions are favorable. Look for the bait and cast on the fringes. There's no need to cast out very far; in fact, you shouldn't even have to get your feet wet as long as the tides rollin' in!

The Pittsburgh Pirates made three early runs stand up in a 3-2 win over the Red Sox.

It took you guys long enough to hit the nail on the head as to what has caused this "slump" if you will. Chip gets extra credit for coming up with the answer -- I'M NOT THERE.

Instead of the Curse of the Bambino you now have the Curse of AK.

North Dakota fans are chanting and feeling better but FGCU still is in cruise control with a 77-56 lead with less than five minutes remaining. Well, there's a Steffi Sorensen steal and layup. That's how fast the Eagles are in this.

Keep the dream alive with the Cinema Ninjas!

Monday qualifier Tim Conley finished up at 6-under.

I kind of worked it out the last 25 holes were just really as good as I can play, I think. I’m still making mental errors because it’s my first tournament since September.

Should Cubans be considered political refugees and still be allowed to freely return to the country they fled as often as they want?

She was always going to be a great champion, Serena Williams. From her early days on tour it was obvious she had great natural skill and a fierce drive to win and be more than just 'Venus' little sister".

You haven't been able turn on a television in the past two months without seeing one of the incessant promos for former "Friend" Courtney Cox's new FX series "Dirt," which purports to follow the adventures of a tabloid editor and her motley crew into the bowels of gossip and scandal in Hollywood.

Hey guys.

We had a great meeting last night with really good conversation about a hot topic affecting local schools: random drug testing of athletes.

The Florida Everblades have kicked off their season with a number of wins, and also a few losses. But that's okay! Hockey Gameday blog is back.

Here's what came of the affordable housing meetings: nothing

Golf teed off Monday and swimming is diving into the postseason today. Many of the area teams are still alive after districts, so it will be interesting to see how golfers from Southwest Florida will fare on the fairways with the best in the state.

X-tina and Ray LaMontagne get their retro on and in turn release some great music.

For an alternative to modern sword and sorcery tales, look as far back as 1965 and science fiction master Michael Moorcock, who created an albino antihero, Elric of Melniboné, to take up the struggle in the eternal war (is there any other) between good and evil.

Answer: Corned beef hash, baked beans, ham and cheese and white bread.
Question: What are foods you won't find in The Ritz-Carlton dining room.

Are you sure that was a Category 3?

It's a good thing we all get along because working in a room that's probably 12 feet by 20 feet with five or six other people isn't the friendliest of situations.

South Lee County responders back in action, ready for assessments.

Fire alarms were tripped throughout the morning due to losses in power. Evacuees were already standing in lines that stretched the entire length of the concourse waiting for their breakfast, fruit and struedel, when an automated message blared over the loudspeakers at 7:58 a.m. telling them to report to the nearest exit.