Sand Dollar Magazine

SPRING 2014

FREE

CONTENT 12

BILLY SHIELDS By age 12, Shields was playing in bands. By 18, he was touring the country, performing six nights a week. True to the 1970’s, they were playing rock and roll by bands like Emerson, Lake and Palmer.

13 HENRY K. MONZELLO Henry Monzello started to study music at the tender age of 5.

He learned the piano from his grandfather and performed his first piano solo when he was 7.

sPRING 2014

07 LUCKY 7

MORE FEATURES

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PELICAN, PELICAN

Pelican Friendly Fishing Tips & Rescue Instructions

TURTLE SEASON IS HERE! More sea turtles nest on Florida’s sandy beaches than on any other U.S. coastline.

PADDLE BOARDING AT DON PEDRO ISLAND One of the most amazing places to paddle is Don Pedro Island State Park.

LET'S GO SAILING Few things are more serene than cruising along on Captain Jim's sailboat.

GASPAR'S DIVE N BOARD The Englewood diver’s destination, Gaspar’s Dive N Board, opened in 2007.

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31 IN SEARCH OF MEGALODON

FEATURE RECIPE Pasta with lemon zest, shrimp and wilted arugula. This is a pasta dish that is unlike any other. If you have never had pasta with a hint of lemon, you’re in for quite a surprise. It makes the pasta dish very light and the flavors of the arugula, shrimp and lemon are such a delightful blend that it’s easy to have seconds and thirds! Fresh Gulf shrimp are recommended but frozen, uncooked shrimp work just fine. Bon Apetit!!

MORE FEATURES

30 35 45

VIPER CHARTERS

Charter specializing in spear fishing as well as custom scuba dive trips, sightseeing, and in-shore and off-shore fishing.

LET'S GO FISHING

Fishing report by Mallory Herzog of Fishin' Franks.

FUN IN THE SUN!

Featuring locals & tourists enjoying Southwest Florida!

SPRING 2014

41

GALLOWAY ROOFING Galloway Roofing offers every type of roof system, from shingles, metal & tile systems, to a wide range of flat roofing systems.

They take a great deal of pride in their workmanship and customer care. Owner David Galloway personally oversees every job.

"Green Roofing" products are also a specialty and are used regularly.

Cover Photo by Brenda Fuller

Experience The Coastal Dream

PUBLISHER

Distribution

Brenda Fuller

Deana Camerlingo

Joshua Fuller Cameron Fuller Carlos Bohm The MKC

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Special Thanks to Ken Von Der Heyden

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Melody Tinder

ART DIRECTOR Brenda Fuller

SALES & MARKETING Deana Camerlingo & Brenda Fuller

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Deana Camerlingo Rachel Kaylor Mallory Herzog Ryan Wandersee Renee Galloway Nicole Meirs Henry Monzello FWC

CREATIVE CONTRIBUTER Bailey Fuller (Root Toot)

The Sand Dollar Magazine 1240 Gulf Blvd.

Englewood, FL 34223 (941) 999-4973 (631) 609-0297 www.TheSandDollarMag.com

All rights regarding the printed edition of The Sand Dollar Magazine and www.TheSandDollarMag.com are reserved. Reproduction of any part of The Sand Dollar Magazine/or this associated web site without the written permission of The Sand Dollar Magazine is prohibited.

All views and comments expressed in The Sand Dollar Magazine are solely the opinions of the writers and not necessarily the opinions of The Sand Dollar Magazine.

The Sand Dollar Magazine reserves the right to reject and refuse any materials submitted to it for The Sand Dollar Magazine or www.TheSandDollarMag.com.

How to Make a Sand Dollar Night Light

• Step 1 Gather a sand dollar -- from the beach or a craft store. All colors, shapes and sizes work well. Choose one that will match your home decor.

• Step 2 Rinse the shell. Make sure to remove any debris, including sand or seaweed.

• Step 3 Pour a solution of 2 cups bleach and 2 cups water into a bucket to get the shell white. Let the shell soak until it is pristine.

• Step 4 Remove the shell from the bleach mix. Dry it with a towel.

• Step 5 Paint it with acrylic paint. Epoxy onto shell; little starfish, sea grass, doves from sand dollar, etc.

• Step 6 While waiting for the shell to dry, remove the night-light's shade.

• Step 7 Administer epoxy glue to the night-light clip. Press the flat part of the shell onto the device, and hold for several seconds. Wait until the seashell is dry and secure before plugging in the night-light.

Read more: How to Make a Seashell Night-light: www.soyouwanna.com/make-seashell-nightlight-30082.html#ixzz2xktGLTpA

Lucky 7

Written by Rachel Kaylor / Photography by Rachel Kaylor (unless otherwise noted)

JAZZ /BLUES/SWING BAND

“While most teenagers are listening to Miley Cyrus and Katy Perry, the members of Lucky 7 are listening to jazz and getting new ideas.

Jazz music is all about improvisation, where an age-old song can become a new creation every time.”

7 | THE SAND DOLLAR

What happens when high school students have too much free time? Some teenagers will find ways to get in trouble; others will find ways to create something exciting. For seven students at Lemon Bay High School, that was exactly what they did.

Decked out in Hawaiian shirts and khaki shorts, the group dubbed Lucky 7 whipped out big band tunes well beyond their years. At the Blue Lagoon in Englewood, the audience lit up as the sounds of In the Mood and Go Daddy-O ripped through the cool evening air.

The students range from freshmen to seniors in high school. The band started in November, as a way to raise funds for a school band trip to the Rocky Mountain Music Festival in Tennessee and now it’s a lot bigger than anyone imagined.

Starting off with a few songs from their school jazz band, they purchased the rest of their charts independently. The group brings in anywhere from $50-100 per member at each gig, sometimes totaling close to $1,000. Some of the money goes to purchasing new music, some goes to college funds, but the band is more captivated by music than money. “We love spreading jazz culture." said William Rossi, on trumpet.

And spread the culture, they do! They play songs on both sides of the jazz spectrum, from upbeat Peter Gun to soft and slow Moonlight Serenade.

Their songs are recognizable and get the crowd dancing and singing along. For parents of the band members, jazz is a new experience and wonderful.

THE SAND DOLLAR | 8

Nate Bellmore

Jimmy Horner

Savanna Galloway

Grade: Junior

Grade: Sophomore

Grade: Freshmen

Instrument: Piano, Snare, Oboe

Instrument: Trombone

Instrument: Guitar, Tuba

Bands: The Lucky Seven, Marching Band, Jazz Band, Symphonic Band

Bands: The Lucky Seven, Marching Band, Jazz Band, Symphonic Band

Bands: The Lucky Seven, Marching Band, Jazz Band, Symphonic Band

William Rossi Grade: Junior Instrument: Trumpet Bands: The Lucky Seven, Marching Band, Jazz Band, Symphonic Band

Lucky 7 cont.

“I didn’t even know I liked jazz until I heard my son playing it,” said Richelle Horner, the bands trombone player’s mother.

While most teenagers are listening to Miley Cyrus and Katy Perry, the members of Lucky 7 are listening to jazz and getting new ideas. Jazz music is all about improvisation, where an age-old song can become a new creation every time.

Each member of the band improved during different tunes, opening themselves up to creativity, musical styling and the heart of jazz. Improv is a technical skill, because it requires a musician to stay within a certain chord range while composing music on the spot.

“You can make jazz your own and put your own style on everything you do,” said Jake Horner, on trombone.

But jazz isn’t all these students play.

Each of the seven members are in the marching, jazz, and symphonic bands, and some of them play two 9 | THE SAND DOLLAR

Photo courtesy of Rick Farnsworth

Jake Robinson

Tanner Farnsworth

Nick Madonna

Grade: Junior

Grade: Junior

Grade: Junior

Instrument: Sax

Instrument: Drums

Bands: The Lucky Seven, Marching Band, Jazz Band, Symphonic Band

Bands: The Lucky Seven, Marching Band, Jazz Band, Symphonic Band

Instrument: Bass Guitar Bands: The Lucky Seven, Marching Band, Jazz Band, Symphonic Band

THE SAND DOLLAR | 10

or three instruments. Each band requires a different set of skills and musical talent, meaning this is one diverse group of young musicians.

The friends plan to head in different directions after high school, but they all want to keep music in their lives. For Lucky 7, the far future is bright and for today they have a great band; great friends and plenty of great times to come.

Visit the band online at www.lucky7jazz.info or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ lucky7jazz.

Lucky 7 performs weekly at The Blue Lagoon in Englewood on Sundays and at Ricaltini’s Bar & Grille in Englewood on Mondays.

Check their websites for times and other gigs or if you would like to book them.

11 | THE SAND DOLLAR

H

is fingers float across the ivory keys, captivating listeners in elevators across the nation.

His fingers float across the ivory keys. It’s a way of life, a passion, a talent. Billy Shields began playing piano at age five, and went on to become known worldwide.

By age 12, Shields was playing in bands. By 18, he was touring the country performing six nights a week. True to the 1970’s, they were playing rock and roll by bands like Emerson, Lake and Palmer.

He started playing with Dan and Frankie Toller in the early 70’s, where he got his first taste of jazz. When his rock band broke up, Shields knew it was time to get serious about music.

Leaving his small town in Indiana, he moved to California to study Berkley School Jazz Theory under the famous Allen Rowe, who was downbeat soloist of the year, two years running.

Gaining experience playing with top jazz artists in Los Angeles, Shields was soon signed by RSVP Record label.

In 1985 he recorded his first criticallyacclaimed CD, Shieldstone. When

Billy Shields Jazz Pianist Written by Rachel Kaylor

his record label asked who he wanted to play on the CD, Shields had high aspirations, but fate was on his side.

“Everything just kind of fell together,” said Shields. “He was the last piece of the puzzle, which was really cool.”

“Three Deep hopes to impact the smooth jazz scene with a fresh sound,” said Shields.

Shields asked Freddie Hubbard, famous American jazz trumpeter, Jack DeJohnette, one of the most influential jazz drummers of the 20th century, John Abercrombie, an acclaimed jazz guitarist, and Airto Moreira, a Brazilian jazz drummer and percussionist. They all agreed.

Shield’s second CD, Crystal Blue, was wildly successful, voted the number 8 album of year and reaching number 1 for 5 weeks on the contemporary jazz billboard charts. Since then, Shields has produced 7 albums, many of which are critically acclaimed and known across the globe.

Today, Shields lives in Englewood, Florida where he produces, writes and plays music. As the owner of Dolphin Cove Records, he mixes and masters CDs, keeping music a part of his daily life.

As the group toured the recording studio, someone suggested they contact Stanley Clarke. Clarke is a jazz musician and composer known for his innovative and influential work. When he agreed to come on board with the project, the group knew it was going to be big.

In 2011, guitarist Russ Brannon was sitting in with Shields’ band at a jazz club in Sarasota when he had an idea. Brannon had the idea for a collaborative project, and when they brought on Preston Glass, a commercial song writer and producer, the group Three Deep was formed.

No matter how far he goes in life, his first album in 1985 still stands out as a defining moment in his life.

For more information about Billy, Please visit BillyShields.webs.com or www.reverbnation.com/billyshields

THE SAND DOLLAR | 12

Henry K. Monzello H

enry Monzello started to study music at the tender age of five. He learned the piano from his grandfather and performed his first piano solo when he was seven years old. By the time he was ten, he had sung and played on different television shows and was the star of elementary school, junior high school and high school.

He managed to work his way through college by performing here and there and then finally moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, where he was exposed to the likes of Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and many other top performers of the time. After a few years in Vegas and some other spots in the U.S., Henry performed on some major cruise lines and then after a ten year performance in South East Asia where Osaka, Japan was his home base, he made his way to Europe.

Since 1996, Henry has been performing around Europe with great success.

It would be safe to say that Henry has show business in his blood. He comes from a famous show business family that performed as the Flying Monzellos in Barnum and Baileys Greatest Show On Earth. Henry has a rich background in training and experience and very few performers can match his repertoire and professionalism.

Henry sings in five languages and performs Classical, Jazz, Rock and Roll, Blues, Pop, Country and Western, 13 | THE SAND DOLLAR

Boogie Woogie and Ragtime, all without the use of any technological support. When you hear Henry Monzello perform you are listening to a slice of class and elegance with a rough edge on it that suits the more modern listener alike.

"I was so astounded by him that I convinced him to let me write this piece on him, and it turns out, that not only was I impressed by his voice and playing ability, but also by his general heartwarming attitude. Henry Monzello is also a really nice guy." John Morrelli. Los Angeles Times The one thing that any entertainer, musician or singer likes most is when another entertainer, musician or singer shows their appreciation for that entertainer. Having the respect and admiration of your peers in any business is a sign of success.

Henry K. Monzello Jr. has entertained in over 40 countries at some of the most famous hotels and restaurants in the world.

Henry is an entertainer playing the piano. He is an entertainer in front of the microphone singing the song. When these two ingredients are combined, the end result is one of the most captivating performers on the music scene today.

Henry entertains his audience by providing a premium blend

of versatility and skilled artistry. His type of entertainment captures the attention of the audience because of his unique style as a pianist/singer and as a performer.

His ability to weave in and out of different emotions and touch the heart and soul of the listener is magical.

Henry K. Monzello Jr. has a rich background in training and study. Because of hardship and adversity throughout his early years, Henry has been able to tap into the miracle of communication through his lyrical piano interpretation and his awe inspiring vocal excellence.

Henry loves to connect with his audience by talking about his many experiences throughout his travels around the world. Often times, these moments add a humorous element to his performance.

Henry has a presentation that creates a memorable and enjoyable evening. The only thing that one can say about the whole Henry K. Monzello package is...That's Entertainment!!

To Book Henry, call 941-460-8083 or visit www.HenryMonzello.com THE SAND DOLLAR | 14

PELICAN...PELIC THEIR BILL CAN HOLD MORE THAN THEIR

CAN...

BELLY CAN!

W

American White Pelican: Pelecanus erythrorhynchos

ith a wingspan as great as nine and a half feet, the American White Pelican is one of North America's largest birds. In flight, white pelicans have a graceful strong flight and usually fly in large flocks high in the air and in a V formation.

Adults are a distinctive white with black wing tips.

The bill, legs and toes are reddish-orange or pink.

Unlike the brown pelican, which is found yearround in Florida, and non-breeding white pelican juveniles, healthy adult white pelicans are winter visitors to the state. They are truly our snowbirds.

In the summer, white pelican adults breed in colonies on lakes in the interior of western Canada and the northwestern United States.

Winters are spent in southern Mexico, southern California and along the Gulf Coast states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and here in Florida.

White pelicans feed differently than brown pelicans. They do not plunge dive as brown pelicans do; instead white pelicans float on the surface, submerge their heads and scoop up fish. They also often fish cooperatively in small groups, herding the fish in front of them.

While brown pelicans within peninsular Florida usually nest in mangroves or other trees, white pelicans build nests right on the ground. They clear or scrape an area and rim it with dirt, sticks or other debris.

Brown Pelican: Pelecanus occidentalis Brown pelicans are large, shore-dwelling birds. They reach sizes up to 48 inches long from head to tail, with a 6-7 foot wingspan and a weight of about 8 pounds. They are strong swimmers and graceful fliers, but are rather clumsy when walking on land.

They are long-lived, the oldest individual on record died at 43 years of age. They can be observed along the coasts from North to South America.

Brown pelicans are also fish eating birds.

They have excellent eyesight and hunt by searching for schools of small bait fish while THE SAND DOLLAR | 16

PELICAN...PELICAN...cont. flying over the ocean, sometimes from as high as 50 feet.

Brown pelicans are highly social birds that often congregate in large flocks throughout much of the year. They also breed in large colonies, which may consist of several hundred pairs, nesting in bushes, or in trees, usually on small estuarine islands where they can be free from disturbance from terrestrial predators. Nests are typically little more than a shallow depression built from grass or reeds, over interwoven sticks on supporting tree branches.

During the height of the plume trade in the late 1800s, the feathers of white pelicans were in demand, though they were not as coveted as the delicate plumes of herons and egrets. White pelicans and brown pelicans also suffered population declines in the 1960’s and 1970’s due to death from direct exposure to pesticides and from reproductive failure due to eggshell thinning. While populations have recovered from chemical contamination, pelicans of both species are still vulnerable to death and disfigurement resulting from entanglement in monofilament line.

Hook a pelican or shorebird?

Cut the line? Dead pelican!

by Mark Cramer, Wildlife Center in Venice Pelican Friendly Fishing Tips & Rescue Instructions: • Never feed pelicans - it is harmful and illegal.

• Reuse left over bait - freeze it or give it to other fishermen. Reel in your line if pelicans/ shorebirds are near.

• If a pelican flies into your line, free the spool so the pelican has a chance to slip the line.

17 | THE SAND DOLLAR

• Do not leave your lines unattended when pelicans are near.

• Change your location if pelicans show interest in bait or catch.

• Release catch quietly and away from pelicans.

• Inspect your gear & terminal tackle - avoid unwanted line breaks.

• Use circle hooks or crimp barbs to avoid injury to wildlife.

• Never cast toward wildlife.

• Recycle fishing line and stash your trash!

If you do hook a pelican • Reel the bird in slowly.

• Have other fishermen help if needed.

• Wrap the bird in a towel if you are alone.

• Hold the pelican with wings folded against body.

• Grasp the beak with one hand, holding the bill open so the pelican can breathe. Pelicans breath through their mouth and will struggle less if they can breathe.

• Find the hook.

• Push the barb outside of the skin.

• Cut off the barb and back the hook out.

• Make sure all line has been removed.

• Release by gently placing the bird on the ground or in the water.

• If the pelican has swallowed a hook or has a large wound, call the rehab center closest to you.

THE SAND DOLLAR | 18

Turtle Season is Here!

Contributed by The FWC

B

iologists hope for another busy sea turtle nesting season. More sea turtles nest on Florida’s sandy beaches than on any other U.S. coastline. Biologists at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) hope the 2014 nesting season that started March 1 will be as successful as others in recent years.

In March, leatherback sea turtles began to emerge onto beaches to lay their eggs along Florida’s Atlantic coast, from Broward to Brevard counties. A few months later, people in other coastal counties also may notice loggerhead and green sea turtle “crawls”; the distinctive line of tracks they leave behind in the sand.

19 | THE SAND DOLLAR

Three species of sea turtles nest in abundance on Florida beaches: leatherbacks, loggerheads and greens. Loggerheads are the most abundant, and approximately 90 percent of all nests for this species in the southeastern United States occur in Florida. Sea turtle biologists were surprised and pleased in 2013 when a record number of more than 36,000 green sea turtle nests were counted in Florida.

“The great news is that so many sea turtles nest on Florida beaches – more than anywhere else in the United States,” said Dr. Robbin Trindell, who is responsible for sea turtle management at the FWC. “Florida had a record number of loggerhead nests in 2012, followed by a record number of

green turtle nests in 2013.”

Typically, sea turtle nesting season runs from March through the end of October, but nesting continued well beyond that in 2013.

Green turtles generally nest later than the other sea turtle species in Florida. FWC biologists would not be surprised if nesting season extends later into the fall again this year, and they caution beachgoers that marked nests on the beach may hatch well past the official end of nesting season in October.

“The actions that people take are critical to maintaining Florida’s success with sea turtles,” Trindell said. “Remove chairs, canopies, boats and other items from the beach at night, because they block the movement of turtles and hatchlings. Don’t forget to turn off or shield lights on the beach to prevent hatchlings from getting confused and going toward land instead of the salt water where they belong.”

In Florida, sea turtle landings on the beach are documented by volunteers, who assist the FWC’s researchers. About 2,500 FWCpermitted volunteers regularly patrol more than 800 miles of sandy shoreline to identify, mark and protect sea turtle nests.

They collect nesting data and also share their knowledge with beachgoers on how to help conserve sea turtles.

Support Florida’s sea turtles by purchasing the “Helping Sea Turtles Survive” license tag at www.BuyaPlate.com. Tag funds are spent on sea turtle research, rescue and conservation efforts. People also can donate $5 and receive an FWC sea turtle decal.

Learn more about our local sea turtles at www.MyFWC.com/SeaTurtle THE SAND DOLLAR | 20

Paddle Boarding

21 | THE SAND DOLLAR

g at Don Pedro Island Written by Nicole Meirs, Owner of SUP Englewood

E

nglewood offers diverse paddling locations along the barrier islands and our Gulf coast. I consider it my job to find the best paddling locations and to bring people out to them. One of the most amazing places to paddle is Don Pedro Island State Park. Many have been to Don Pedro Island by boat. Most people just visit the beach, but they have no idea that there are hidden treasures that are concealed within the island. Launching from the land base on Placida Road provides the quickest paddling route to the island.

Located a short paddle away, directly across from the land base, is a very small passage into the mangroves.

This natural mangrove tunnel leads to a hidden lagoon inside Don Pedro Island. A unique estuary can be found here, with sea stars and live, soft coral. This is the only paddle boarding location in Englewood where I have seen a colony of sea stars. Other marine life can be found throughout the tunnel: blue crabs, fish, live shells, and sponges.

The trip through the tunnel is fascinating every time I go.

The Don Pedro Island mangrove tunnel is different from other locations. There’s more marine life, and other elements to explore. Sitting on my paddle board through the tunnel is required. There are a few low-hanging branches, which make this location a bit adventurous.

Standing on the paddle board provides better visibility into the water. I love to stop and spot the sea stars and live shells that I’m paddling over. The seagrass throughout the tunnel is very healthy, allowing for small marine life to thrive in its nursery. Dwarf seahorses can be found on occasion in the seagrass here. One thing to keep in mind is that the dwarf seahorses mate for life, and they only THE SAND DOLLAR | 22

Paddling Don Pedro Island Cont swim within a square foot of where they are born. Always place a dwarf seahorse back where you found them to help prevent them from being separated from their mate.

The part of the island that boasts the mangrove tunnel and the hidden lagoon is very private and rarely travelled.

The hidden lagoon is located inside Don Pedro Island and can only be reached by traveling through the narrow mangrove tunnel.

The first time I went through the tunnel and entered the hidden lagoon was breath taking. The tunnel opens up to the coastal lagoon. I would consider the hidden lagoon an ideal fishing location.

Check the tides before taking 23 | THE SAND DOLLAR

a paddling trip out here.

On a low tide, it’s almost impossible to get all the way through the tunnel. Due to the narrow passageway, low tides, and precious marine life this trip is recommended for non-motorized vessels only.

Marine life is abundant. In the warmer months the manatees can be seen frequenting the area. Dolphins are usually seen closer to the main channel. After exploring the inside of the barrier island, take a break on the beach of Don Pedro Island. Docks are located only a short paddle away from the mangrove tunnel. Land access for kayaks and paddle boards is located behind the docks. Walking trails and beach access is located on Don Pedro Island.

Explore one of the most scenic locations Englewood has to offer. Paddling this location makes for a perfect day trip.

To book a tour or a paddle boarding session, Call 941-234-4311 or visit www.SUPENGLEWOOD.com

THE SAND DOLLAR | 24

Handstone Cameo & Seed Pearl

Turquoise Necklace

Topaz & Diamonds 14K Jade & Seed Pearl Ring

Richardson & Richardson Estate & Antique Jewelry

941-451- 8631 209 MIAMI AVE., W., VENICE, FL 34285 • RaymondJRichardson@gmail.com

25 | THE SAND DOLLAR

THE SAND DOLLAR | 26

LET'S GO SAILING

F

ew things are more serene than cruising along on a sailboat. A mixed elixir of blue skies, puffy white clouds and the sound of the sails whipping in the breeze. Welcome aboard the Sloop Anna Lee, where relaxation is the name of the game, and the experience is unforgettable.

Captain Jim has been sailing the waters of Lemon Bay since the 1960’s and his son, Levi, has sailed the same waters since 1995.

These two seasoned sailors create for you a complete, custom adventure.

27 | THE SAND DOLLAR

by Deana Camerlingo

Take a tour and meander along the waters of Ski Alley. Sail into the Gulf of Mexico.

You’re on an authentic, 30 foot, 1977 Hunter Cherubini. There’s never a shortage of wildlife along the journey. You may spot Giant Loggerhead Sea Turtles, manatee and Spotted Eagle Rays. There is an abundance of pelicans and dolphin. One special guy, a dolphin that the locals have named Friendly, can usually be seen in the same spot, running fish along a seawall.

Tours on the Sloop Anna Lee are usually three hours long with reservations required, and there are also sunset cruises available. You are welcome to bring cocktails, refreshments and food. Water and ice are provided for you. The cost is $50 per person, with a twoperson minimum and a six-person maximum.

So grab your suntan lotion; it’s a beautiful day. Let’s Go Sailing!

Call 941-270-2827 to Book a Cruise or go to

www.Let'sGoSailingEnglewood.com THE SAND DOLLAR | 28

GASPAR'S DIVE N BOARD T

he Englewood diver’s destination, Gaspar’s Dive N Board, opened in 2007. The shop is named after the well-known Spanish pirate, José Gaspar, also known as Gasparilla from the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. The shop began with the idea of serving the diving needs of the Cape Haze Peninsula and surrounding areas. With the closest access to the Gulf of Mexico waters, their location is a natural fit for area divers. Gaspar’s is a full service dive shop and offers the best scuba classes at the best prices. They provide instruction through both NAUI and SSI certifying agencies.

Joe and Stephanie Chlebowski became the new, proud owners of Gaspar’s in August 2010. Joe and Stephanie frequented the shop as customers before taking over. It was their passion for diving that sparked their interest in purchasing the shop and making it their own. While Joe enjoys reef diving and spear fishing, Stephanie enjoys underwater photography and occasionally fossil hunting. Although diving in local waters is their favorite, they also love to take trips to Florida’s east coast and the Florida Keys, as well as places like Cozumel and Roatan. They’re always looking for new dive buddies to accompany them on adventures like diving Epcot’s Living Seas Aquarium or just out on some of the local wrecks and ledges our area has to offer.

Gaspar’s Dive N Board is not only the largest dive shop in the area but also offers snorkel gear, skateboards and equipment and skim boards. They carry a large variety of brands at competitive prices. Their friendly and knowledgeable staff is eager to meet new people and committed to helping meet their customers’ needs. So stop in sometime to meet everyone there and discover what they have to offer!

Gaspar’s is located at 2961 Placida Road Englewood, Florida, 34223 941-698-0499 or visit them on the web www.

GasparsDive.com 29 | THE SAND DOLLAR

VIPER CHARTERS

C

aptain Ryan Wandersee of Viper Charters LLC client’s great experience before profit. It is this proudly serves Englewood and the surrounding philosophy that separates him from the others. areas. Viper Charters specializes in spear fishing To book a charter, go to as well as custom scuba dive trips, sightseeing, www.ViperChartersllc.com and in-shore and off-shore fishing. They offer or call 727-776-3282. fully customizable trips. If you want to do some diving in the morning and head back in for a waterside lunch in the afternoon, they can make it happen. Viper Charters only books one charter per day and the full day is offered to the client.

Viper Charters has a unique ability to help build a client’s unforgettable day out on the water and makes it a great memorable experience.

Captain Ryan Wandersee has served in the Military Police Corps in the United States Army.

He has been deployed to Mosul, Iraq as well as fulfilling a contract in the private sector in Baghdad, Iraq and another 15 month contract in RC East Afghanistan. This prior level of professionalism has carried over to his charter business and insures the safety of all onboard, in any condition. This level of professionalism and personable service cannot be found elsewhere, and makes for an overall enjoyable experience that cannot be found on any other charter boats in the area. He has over 15 years of experience on the water and over 700 logged dives. Captain Ryan Wandersee has, and always will place a THE SAND DOLLAR | 30

IN SEARCH OF

MEGALOD You have probably noticed, if you’ve ever strolled

the beach on Manasota Key, that the folks are walking along the sand with their heads down. What are they looking at? What is it that they’re bending down to pick up? It’s treasure.

All along the Key are hundreds of thousands of fossilized shark’s teeth. As you look down at your feet you can spot little triangular shapes, ranging in color from shades of light sable-brown to pitch black. Tumbled, millions of years old, fossilized shark’s teeth. It is what truly sets Manasota Key apart from many of the other gulf islands. We, in this area 31 | THE SAND DOLLAR

of southwest Florida, are the shark’s tooth capital of the world.

Many local residents have collections of teeth numbering into the thousands. Years of collecting these tiny pieces of the past result in a myriad of ways for display. From being grouted into bathroom walls, laid out in display tables or made into beautiful pieces of jewelry, the local populace seems obsessed with these incredible gems that make this area so special.

Find a good spot, and plop down in the sand.

Anywhere in the shell line, you’ll find dozens right

Find a good spot, and plop down in the sand. Anywhere in the shell line, you’ll find dozens right where you sit.

Just move the shells from side to side and you will expose tooth after tooth, moving a few feet down every few minutes to a fresh new spot, rich in yet more treasure.

DON

Story by Deana Camerlingo

you will expose tooth after tooth, moving a few feet down every few minutes to a fresh new spot, rich in yet more treasure.

You’ll sometimes see folks with a metal net basket from one of the local shops, scooping the tumbling teeth right out of the shore break. We like to call these contraptions “Florida snow shovels” in an effort, perhaps, to tease the Northerners. So, what? You’re down here now, and that’s what matters.

Our beaches yield a variety of teeth from different species of sharks. There are the lemon shark, mako, sand shark, tiger shark, snaggletooth, hammerhead

and others. Shark’s teeth aren’t the only things that have survived the long process of fossilization. There are stingray barbs, stingray mouth plates, puffer fish mouth plates, all different kinds of mammal teeth, pieces of tortoise shell, etc.

Identification books can be bought locally and a wealth of information is available, of course, online.

Barefoot Trader on Manasota Key has a basic, easy to use guide, and Sea Pleasures and Treasures in Venice has a nice selection of books on the subject. Mark Renz is a Florida resident, professor, longtime fossil hunter, and author of Fossiling in Florida and THE SAND DOLLAR | 32

Picture by Tom and Sigrid Bowen

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IN SEARCH OF MEGALODON Megalodon : Hunting the Hunter - two books I highly recommend for those finding themselves becoming passionate about this enthralling, addictive sport.

Here are some interesting facts on local Paleontology: Almost all of Florida was under water about 35 million years ago. It was covered by warm, shallow seas with an abundance of marine life, most notably, sharks. A shark continuously sheds row after row of teeth throughout life. They move forward like a conveyor belt, by the dozens. Just one shark can leave up to 30,000 of them on the ocean floor in its lifetime. Multiply that by the millions of sharks over the many millions of years and you have a heck of a lot of shark’s teeth. As time passed and the ocean bed rose to become Florida State, the deposited shark teeth were left behind to rise with the land as well as in the water. This area was a breeding ground for some massive beasts. Many of these species were relatives of the sharks of the present time. One of which, was a distant relative of the great white. The Megalodon.

Charcarodon megalodon is regarded as one of the largest and most powerful predators in vertebrate history. Some estimates put this colossal killer at over sixty feet in length with a speed of 30 feet per second.

The largest tooth ever found was 7 5/8 inches with an estimated value of 1.2 to 1.5 million dollars. It is speculated that this shark would have been over 75 feet in length, about 85,000 pounds and have a jaw width of 11 feet. Horror factor? A ten.

Megalodon or “Meg” teeth can be found on the beaches but it’s rare. However, once in a while, they are found. Because of the rolling surf, most of the shark’s teeth found on the beaches are usually tumbled, losing some of the characteristics and serrations of the original tooth. They are often smaller than the ones found by those scuba diving offshore or in the local rivers, where the teeth are relatively stationary and therefore more pristine.

For scuba divers new to the sport, I recommend going to your nearest dive shop and inquiring about a charter off the coast of Venice. You will get a knowledgeable underwater guide who will show you how to identify shark’s teeth under a layer of silt,

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which is a bit harder than it sounds. Once you get the hang of where to look and your eyes get trained on how to spot them, you’ll come up with a bag of goodies!

For those who don’t dive or do, but want to experience fossil hunting on a river, the Peace River is where it’s at. The Peace River is an excellent example of prime fossil hunting. With relatively shallow water and good visibility; even novice fossil hunters can have an adventure on this exquisite river. The lazily running waters expose embedded fossils in the earth, depositing them into pockets of debris. There are so many beautiful, perfectly preserved shark’s teeth and fossils here. All you need is a watercraft, be it a kayak or paddle board, a shovel, and a sifting screen. It’s one of the most intriguing things about the state of Florida - these fossilized treasures. Take advantage. You’ll get hooked. A camera is not a necessity but with the Peace River’s abundance of wildlife and breathtaking scenery, you will want one with you. Especially for the glamour shot of you, all wet, holding up your very first Meg tooth!

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Spring is in the Air! Let’s Go Fis

by Mallory Herzo

“If your new to the area or new to fishing, Fishin’ Franks in Port Charlotte offers a fishing seminar on various topics at Luigi’s Italian Restaurant.

These are hosted

by Fishin’ Frank himself, Robert & Captain Cayle. They meet the 2nd Tuesday & Wednesday of each month at 6:30 pm. Tuesday night is reserve seating, and Wednesday is open seating. To make a reservation call 941625-3888 to learn from the best!”

Fishin' Franks 4425 Tamiami Trail

Charlotte Harbor, FL 33980

(941) 625-3888

Pictured: Andrew Herzog Spring is in the air across southwest Florida.

Many of us already enjoying the beautiful weather and sunshine. Warming temps and our mild winter is bringing spring to us a bit early, which also means great fishing is already beginning! For fishermen here and across the globe, spring time usually brings the best fishing season of the year.

The months of April and May, the water really comes alive with an array of marine life. The best part of saltwater fishing is that there are so many species out there, you never know what may be on the other end of your line.

Tarpon season is one of the most popular in 35 | THE SAND DOLLAR

our region. Every spring, May especially, these magnificent fish pack into our passes and beaches preparing for their spawning and migration. There are various tarpon tournaments in May, and they are so exciting to watch from the beach. I’m already seeing a few of these rolling in Boca Grande Pass.

I hope that this year I will get to experience a tarpon catch on light tackle. These fish love crabs and green backs. It’s remarkable that such a large fish (100-200lbs) is attracted to such a small live bait! It seems they just can’t resist a delicious crab.

Along our gulf beaches we will start to see many different species. Spanish Mackerel, jacks

shing!

og of Fishin' Franks

and flounder are already starting to bite in the Englewood area! These fish are an easy catch on lure or live bait. You just have to figure out what they prefer that day. When I am beach fishing, we try to cast net whatever live bait is swimming around the area. If you're without a cast net you can never go wrong with some live shrimp or pin fish from your local bait shop. Flounder, especially, love live shrimp. I let them walk along the sandy bottom, reeling very slowly, ensuring that my shrimp will stay alive and enticing the hiding flounder to jump up and take a bite. Spanish Mackerel will eat almost anything when you cast into a hungry school. These are a great fight on lighter tackle.

April is the last month you can harvest Snook.

The Gulf Of Mexico season officially closes May 1st. Keeper slot must be 28-33 inches long. Over the next few weeks as the water temps increase snook will begin to swim along the sandy shallows of our beaches. My favorite way to catch snook is sight casting them along the beach. I use a live green back and 30lb fluorocarbon, paying careful attention to throw ahead of the school I am targeting. Its a real rush to watch them swim around your bait, checking it out, deciding if it looks like a great meal. In the blink of an eye they inhale the green back and put on a great splashing show as you bring them in!

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Spring is in the Air! They are already eating well along our bridges and piers.

Snook will eat lures, although in my experience they like live bait better. Pinfish and shrimp are great for snook that you’re targeting along bridges and pilings.

If your new to the area or new to fishing, Fishin’ Franks in Port Charlotte offers a fishing seminar’s on various topics at Luigi’s Italian Restaurant.

These are hosted by Fishin’ Frank, Robert & Captain Cayle. They meet the 2nd Tuesday & Wednesday of each month at 6:30 pm. Tuesday night is reserve seating, and Wednesday is open seating.

To make a reservation call 941-625-3888 to learn from the best!

37 | THE SAND DOLLAR

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Pasta with Lemon Zest, Shrimp and Wilted Arugula

by Deana Camerlingo

This is a pasta dish that is unlike any other. If you have never had pasta with a hint of lemon, you’re in for quite a surprise. It makes the pasta dish very light and the flavors of the arugula, shrimp and lemon are such a delightful blend that it’s easy to have seconds and thirds! Fresh Gulf shrimp are recommended but frozen, uncooked shrimp work just fine. Bon Apetit!!

Ingredients you will need: • 1 lb of pasta of your choice • 2 lemons • 20 shrimp (if frozen, defrosted and peeled) • 6 Shallots • 1 box or bag of baby arugula • 2 cloves of garlic • White wine • Olive oil • Salt • Pepper Begin by removing the zest or bright yellow rind from both lemons. A zester can be bought at the supermarket but using the smallest grating of a cheese grater works too. Keep the zested lemons on the side. You will be using the juice later. Add the zest to 3/4 cup of olive oil and let sit. This step works best when done some time before the meal as the flavor from the zest infuses into the olive oil.

Finely chop the shallots and garlic and toss into a pan with some olive oil and sauté, adding a bit of salt, pepper and dashes of wine to keep shallots and garlic from browning. When the shallots are nice and soft, almost melted, remove from heat and place in a bowl with it’s liquid.

Bring water to boil and add pasta.

Using the same pan from the shallots, add a bit more olive oil, salt and pepper and set heat to medium/high. When oil is hot, add shrimp and sauté, adding dashes of wine to create a nice steam. BE CAREFUL NOT TO OVERCOOK THE SHRIMP! Large shrimp only take about 3 minutes. The shrimp will be done before your pasta, so remove from heat a little before they seem ready. They will continue to cook.

When the pasta is al dente, remove from heat and strain. Add the shrimp with its liquid, the shallots with their liquid too, and the oil with the lemon zest. Stir. Grab handfuls of arugula and fold into pasta, pushing the greens underneath and into the heat of the noodles to allow it to wilt. Add about three quarters of the bag or box of arugula. It will seem like too much at first, but it wilts down to a fraction of its size. Use the leftover lemons and squeeze the juice to taste. Voila!

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941GallowayRoofing.com

Lic #: CCC1328485

O

wner and License holder, David Galloway has been waterproofing houses since 1988 and has devoted his career on keeping homeowners Happy and DRY! With over 25 years experience in the roofing and remodeling trade, you can rest assured that a job completed by Galloway Roofing will be top quality with exceptional customer service.

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What We Do Galloway Roofing offers every type of roof system from shingles, metal & tile systems, to a wide range of flat roofing systems. We take a great deal of pride in our workmanship and customer care. Owner David Galloway personally oversees every job.

"Green Roofing" products are also a specialty and are used regularly. As always, we offer:

• Free consultations • Award-winning service • Guaranteed Satisfaction Galloway Roofing, LLC 7253 Gasparilla Rd. Unit 1 Port Charlotte, FL 33981 ph: 941-697-3737

Weston's Wanna B Inn Resort on Manasota Beach was remodeled by contractor Truex Preferred Construction and had a complete new metal roof done by Galloway Roofing, LLC.

Farlow's on the Water restaurant newly installed custom metal roof completed by Galloway Roofing, LLC in Englewood, Florida.

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SUNDAY

FUNDAY

FUN IN T

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