The Boca Banner: Building a Better Community Together

By Jim Tucker

The yellow-shirted experts from Venice Regional Medical Center were back at the Crowninshield House offering free health screenings this week. This is the sixth year of the screenings in Boca Grande. Last year 400 were screened and silent, potentially fatal, problems have been found every year.

Islander Nick Kaiser says he's alive and well thanks to the health scans he underwent in 2003 when an aortic aneurysm was found. "It's a miracle actually, that it was found when it was," said Kaiser who subsequently underwent surgery to alleviate the potentially fatal condition.

"The clinic provides a tremendous service for the island with these scans. I'm happy and healthy, and alive. And grateful for the scans," says Kaiser.

Video images of aorta, carotid, cardiac screenings and blood pressures taken from arms and ankles give an indication of a patient's general cardiovascular health and the option of seeking treatment in case of any warning signs.

The cardiac echo screening displays the functioning heart complete with opening and closing valves. The screen’s imagery has the look of a pre-natal sonogram: interesting, but not as exciting as a new baby.

Venice Regional Medical Center executives visited the island Wednesday during the annual health screenings organized by the Boca Grande Health Clinic.Venice Regional represented here include: Kathy Turner, seated; Melody Trimble, CEO, right, and Jan Busby, clinic administrator.

Index...

Food Drive. ....................pg 4

Troops.............................pg 5

Ron Hart..........................pg 6

Pork..................................pg 7

Review.............................pg 8

Helen's.............................pg 9

Charlie's Angels...........pg 12

Pet Blessing.........pg 14 & 19

Boca Bargains..............pg 20

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Boca Banner Website

The Boca Banner is on the internet. There are new links to weather and tide charts. Current news and photos. Links to Boca Grande's Real Estate leaders. Keep watching the site grow.

Its www.thebocabanner.com . The redesigned site is maintained by JD Web Design. of Port Charlotte Florida

For 38 years Margaret and Darrell Polk ran the Barnichol variety store, but that's only a small part of their life together in Boca Grande where they raised five children and served their beloved community and church.

On Tuesday the Boca Grande Chamber of Commerce honored the couple for their pioneering service. Childhood friend to the Polk’s children, Johns Knight, newly elected president, presented the couple with a framed work of Boca Grande scenes by artist Wini Smart during the chamber's annual meeting held at PJ's Seagrille.

Knight said he was "honored" to be in such a position. "I've grown up with your children, and it’s an honor for me to be giving you this recognition," said Knight.

Darrell served in the island volunteer fire department where he held the post of chief for 33 years. Pay was being able to live in the fire station rent free, which was a great help when raising five children, he said.

"I started out as a junior firefighter here. We got to jump out of the school window whenev-

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The Community Planning Panel's meeting Wednesday included a point by point review and discussion of Charlotte County's response to the plan approved by Lee County.

Most of the line item questions revolve around funding and responsibility for implementation and enforcement of the plan's new standards.

One of the plan's goals, the establishment of a document clearing house, has been partially accomplished.

Johann Fust Community Library receives copies of selected documents from the county making them available to the public.

The planning panel will be working with Lee County to establish another goal, a local Historical Preservation Board. Discussion at this meeting included means to solicit resumes from interested parties and developing criteria for selecting successful applicants. Appointments of the new board's members will be the responsibility of the county commissioners.

Gloria Sajgo, member of the Lee County Historic Preservation Board, continues to be involved and will attend meetings and report to the county commissioners.

One of the new board's priorities will be preparing an inventory of historic buildings on the island.

The proposals most in contention with Charlotte involve potential boat ramp standards, traffic flow and parking, especially roadside parking between the bridge toll booths and CR775. Control of signage

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