Features

Ryszarda Lida Pelc found in this country her gusto for writing poetry. She was a high school teacher in Poland before coming to the United States for the first time in 1985. Pelc’s husband Karol had been invited by the Michigan Technological University as a guest professor. Full story »

Emergencies can happen to pets just as people, and sometimes it’s necessary to get Fido or Fluffy to the ER, stat. With summer around the corner, there are many dangers that pet owners need to be aware of in order to prevent harm. One example: poison. Full story »

Q: I heard about someone who had a heart attack on the treadmill at my gym. Supposedly, the person died. Does the gym have liability for his death? Full story »

The term genocide did not exist before 1944, when a Polish-Jewish lawyer named Raphael Lemkin sought to describe the Nazi policies of systematic murder, including the destruction of European Jews. He formed the word genocide by combining geno from the Greek word for race or tribe, with cide, from the Latin word for killing. Full story »

Call it what you want — spring formal, graduation ball or just the Big Dance — there’s nothing quite like prom season to put stars in the eyes of teens and bring out the shutterbug in parents’ souls. Full story »

Ah, dear old Dad… He taught you all about fishing and football. He introduced you to your first engine, and he showed you how to fix it. He was Master of the Grill and he passed the legacy to you. He took you to his favorite hang-out and introduced you to his friends. Full story »

If a tenant (renter) does not live up to the responsibilities outlined in their lease or in Florida law, the landlord has the right to evict the tenant. Chapter 83 of the Florida Statutes defines and outlines landlord and tenant laws, rights, and obligations. Full story »

If you’re a patriot with a federal cash rebate in hand, why not spend some of it at your favorite restaurants? You would be helping the dining industry through a rough patch. I’m joking, but restaurants here in Naples, Marco and nationwide are in challenging times. Full story »

Once cute and caged exotic pets, iguanas are increasingly becoming a concern for some Marco Island residents. Steven Roberts, who lives near an inland waterway in central Marco, reported seeing a four-foot-long green iguana on his dock. “I had never seen an iguana on Marco Island before, even though I had heard they were here. I was most concerned that it might attack our dogs which we occasionally let roam in our backyard, or that it might attack me or my wife,” Roberts said. Full story »

When it comes to cats, the experts agree: Leave those whiskers on Whiskers alone. That’s the advice of animal experts when it comes to vibrissae, the technical name for whiskers. They serve a purpose and it’s not a good idea to cut or trim them, as many pet owners feel they should do. Full story »

Many of you will remember Bev Alfeld from her first volume, “The Jamlady Cookbook,” in 2005. This month Pelican Publishing is releasing her second one, “Pickles to Relish,” chock-full of good recipes and her usual tips, tricks, charts and other helpful information. Bev often visits her mother in Chokoloskee during season, and has included many recipes which will delight Florida cooks. Full story »

Q: I am getting divorced. My wife is currently living in our house and I am renting an apartment. It does not seem fair that she gets to live rent free. Shouldn’t she have to pay me rent, at least for my half of the house? Full story »

National volunteer week celebrated yearly reminds everyone how important volunteers are in every city and community. Full story »

What happens in therapy? What should you expect? Why do we believe therapy helps? Individuals usually seek help from a therapist when overwhelmed by life’s problems. Life tends to be very difficult; sometimes we are stressed beyond our capacity to easily cope. Full story »

Meet Rosemary Mazzola, at the Meet the Artist reception from 5 to 8 p.m. on May 7 at Blue Mangrove Gallery, Marco Town Center Mall. Refreshments will be served, as well as delectable local Florida gourmet sauce samplings. Full story »