Koch Brother – A Profile



WILLIAM “BILL” KOCH stood in the front of the VenetianBallroom at The Breakers before 700 listeners all waiting and wishing to hear him speak about his billions, his brothers Charles and David, conversations he must be privy to and all the things he has that only money can buy. The Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce had asked him to talk […]

Homeless problem grows as agencies hold awareness week events




Families with children are the fastest growing group of people who are homeless or on the verge of it, said Southwest Florida agencies that provide food, shelter and services. And in recent years, the number of students who have experienced some form of homelessness has increased by thousands, a state report shows. In the Lee, Charlotte and Collier County School […]

Get some, baby!




Once again, we’re ripping through the holidays like a big fullback through the front line. We knocked down Halloween (Oct. 31), we blew past Veterans Day (Nov. 11), and we’re about to butt heads with Thanksgiving and the high holy days of winter. Although all of it falls smack in the middle of “football season” in America — and Thanksgiving, […]

The Obamacare whiners




Henry Waxman made a plea at the end of a House hearing grilling Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. The California Democrat asked Republicans to reach across the aisle to work with Democrats to improve Obamacare. Yes, Henry Waxman, who has made a career of ideological witch hunts and smash-mouth partisanship, wants a cease-fire over Obamacare, or so he […]

Election 2013: A grass-roots resurgence




The cable news channels wasted no time before crowing over the landslide re-election victory of New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. According to exit polls, Gov. Christie won a majority of both women and Latino voters, traditional Democratic voting blocs. The political chattering class is abuzz with Gov. Christie as the GOP’s great hope to retake the White House in 2016. […]

Adventure sailing




My last article was about shallow-water boating and sailing. While I love offshore sailing in clear blue waters — places like Bermuda and the crossing of oceans — I prefer island-to-island daily jaunts. There are many places in the world where you can depart in the morning and by mid-afternoon be at your intended destination. Tahiti is one such group […]

Holiday hazards

Festive threats to pets include fatty foods, alcohol and open doors


As I strolled through the grocery store last month, I noticed that the Christmas decor was already up. In my mind, it was still summer, but apparently the good folks at my local fooditorium wanted to ring in the holidays a tad early this year. Some day, I am certain they will start putting up the tinsel in June. The […]

Pets of the Week



To adopt or foster a pet These animals are available for adoption at the Animal Welfare League, 3519 Drance St., Port Charlotte. All animals are neutered and current with their shots. The shelter is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day. To view adoptable pets, visit www.awlshelter.org. To adopt or foster a pet EARS is located at 145 […]

Vernon Peeples’ monthly column launches Nov. 21




What Vernon Peeples likes most about anything that’s ever been said about him was printed in Charlotte County Florida Weekly’s inaugural “Best Of” edition in 2010. We named him our community’s “Best Treasure,” and that still holds true. Here’s how we described him: Legislator. Florida historian. Radio personality. Author. Lecturer. Philanthropist. It almost seems like too much to handle in […]

THIS WEEK ON WGCU-TV



FRIDAY, NOV. 15, 9 P.M. Great Performances Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma Revel in the rebirth of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s landmark American musical. Starring Hugh Jackman as Curly. Also featured are original London cast members Josefina Gabrielle as Laurey, Maureen Lipman as Aunt Eller and Tony-winner Shuler Hensley. TUESDAY, NOV. 19, 9 P.M. Lincoln @ Gettysburg The Internet of the 19th […]