Isl and HOMe islander SCCF guide offers incentives for resilient rebuilding

In the wake of Hurricane Ian, Sanibe Captiva and Southwest Florida communitie are rebuilding Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundatio Coastal Resilience Manager Dr Carrie Schuman invites the public to learn how they can make choices now that will increase the region's resilience not only to specific events like hurricanes, but against the broader backdrop of climate change

In the SCCF's new “Rebuilding for Resilience,” an in-depth guide to tax credits, rebates and other financial incentives, she outlines four main pathways to becoming more resilient:

∫ Energy generation

∫ Energy efficiency

∫ Transportation

∫ Hurricane proofing

Pygmy date is small palm with big appeal

The pygmy date palm (Phoenix roebelenii) is considered one of the most popular palms seen in the residential landscape It is hard not to admire the palm as it stands out in the lands c a p e . I t s f e a t h e r l i k e fronds are bright green and curved, which gives it the tropical look that many people look for in their garden Its relativel y s m a l l h e i g h t a n d graceful appearance is one of the main reasons for its appeal

The pygmy date palm is available and installed as a single trunk or in multiple trunks It is a slow growing palm which reaches a maximum height of about 10 feet Often it is referred to as a dwarf palm and can be used in multiple areas within the landscape They are ideal for a small garden area They are adaptable and very popular for lanais or atriums, as well as growing in containers or pots The pygmy date palm will often be seen as an accent within a garden or placed in front of a wall or window for privacy It is diverse in its use and aesthetically pleasing to plant enthusiasts In addition, they are a great choice to be included in a pool planter given enough space to grow. One thing to consider, especially if you have small children, is that they do have 2-3 inch spines that grow at the base of the fronds, so some thought in placement is recommended

The pygmy date palm prefers full sun, however it can tolerate partial shade They prefer moist to well drained soils, but they are also moderately drought tolerant These palms are not self cleaning therefore periodic trimming is necessary Overall, the pygmy date palm is a beautiful, low maintenance, accent palm that continues to be a favorite choice among landscapers and gardeners.

In The Garden is a joint effort by all at the local garden center, at 3889 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel For more information, contact 239-3955859 or visit www facebook com/rswalshinthegarden

“One of the most obvious ways many of these incentives contribute to resilience is through their collective potential to reduce greenhouse gases,” Schuman writes “This translates into reducing rising temperatures and subsequently, the intensity of future climate change impacts that we’ll need to adapt to.”

The guide includes a variety of available financial incentives that can help homeowners, businesses and other entities such as nonprofits, schools and municipalities make some of these choices, while taking advantage of potentially significant savings

She reminds the public of other longterm benefits, as well

By adopting solar and other renewable nergy sources, one will become less ependent on a volatile fossil fuel market and ave the availability of backup power as batry technology improves By choosing enery-efficient appliances, one can help streamline overall energy usage, resulting in lower bills Savings range from hundreds of dollars to several thousand

To download the guide, visit https://issuu com/sccf3/docs/sccf rebuilding for resilience a guide to incenti

Update contact information to keep in touch with FEMA

The Federal Emergency Management Agency reported that applicants for FEMA assistance after Hurricanes Ian and Nicole should ensure that FEMA has their current contact information FEMA may need to contact applicants for more information or to arrange a home inspection to verify damage

If you are referred for a FEMA inspection and have been waiting three weeks or longer, contact FEMA to check on the status of your application

If your contact information has changed, you should update your FEMA application immediately

“DRC” and your Zip Code to 43362 or visit fema gov/drc

Muhly grass

By SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION

M u h l y g r a s s ( M u h l e n b e r g i a capillaris) is a tough native grass t h a t h a s p r o v e n i t s r e s i l i e n c e across the island after Hurricane Ian This hardy grass can handle a variety of growing conditions but p e r f o r m s b e s t w h e n p l a n t e d i n areas with full sun and dry to moist soils It can be grown in a wide

To find a nearby center, text

To update your information, you can create an account at DisasterAssistance gov, click “Check Status” and follow the prompts to create an account or access your account; call 800-621-3362 from 7 a m to 11 p m ; or visit a Disaster Recovery Center

Applicants should update FEMA concerning changes in insurance, current housing situation, phone number, mailing address and payment preference Missing or wrong information could delay the financial assistance you may be eligible to receive When contacting FEMA, refer to the nine-digit number assigned to you when you applied

SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION

Muhly grass is hardy native

range of soil types and it tolerates drought, salt and short periods of inundation The native range of muhly grass extends throughout the southeastern United States and it can naturally be found in the coastal uplands and pine flatwood habitats of Florida This perennial grass reaches up to 3 feet tall and produces flower stalks that extend above the fine textured, dark green foliage in the fall and early winter

An exciting indicator of the arrival of cooler weather is the emergence o f m u h l y g r a s s f l o w e r s T h e s e wispy, reddish-purple flowers provide striking fall color when planted singly or in large groups Its clumping habit provides cover for wildlife, and birds eat the tiny seeds it produces during the fall and winter

Recipe of the Week:

Mini Crab Cakes with Roasted Red Pepper Remoulade Sauce

By CHEF LORETTA PAGANINI

Crab cakes are very popular on Sanibel They have become a regular staple on the menus of local restaurants You can buy them already prepared at our grocery store or seafood shop, or even at our farmers market Everyone will tell you that they make the very best and charge you quite a bit of money for that delicious morsel of happiness The various ingredients are more or less the same: Bread crumbs or crackers, eggs, mayonnaise, mustard, pickle vegetables, seasoning and lump crab meat I want to share my favorite recipe for crab cakes that is so easy to prepare Enjoy them with arugula salad and remoulade sauce Makes 16 pieces (Chef tip: Do not overwork your crab mixture; try to keep your crab chunks intact This will give your crab cakes a better texture )

4 cups arugula

Olive oil, as desired

Salt and pepper, to taste

Remoulade sauce:

1 cup mayonnaise

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1/2 cup red bell pepper, roasted and diced

2 tablespoons fresh Italian parsley, chopped

2 tablespoons pickles, minced

1/2 teaspoon capers, chopped

Salt and pepper, to taste

Tabasco sauce, to taste

BIG ARTS Calendar

BIG ARTS, at 900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel, will present the following:

Workshop

Zentangle Drawing with Donna Cole today, Feb 22, from 10 a m to 1 p m at BIG ARTS Cost is $39 for donors and $48 for non-donors

Workshop

Landscape Oil Painting En Plein Air with Douglas David

, Fort Myers

Workshop A m to noon virtually via

Zoom Cost is $72 for donors and $90 for non-donors

Workshop

ArtTalk: Looking To Learn with AnneMarie Bouché on Feb 27 from 10 to 11:30 a m virtually via Zoom Cost is $20 for donors and $25 for non-donors

Workshop

Capture the Moment in Plein Air with Kathleen Conover on Feb 28 from 9 a m to 1 p m at the Berne Davis Botanical Gardens, at 2166 Virginia Ave , Fort Myers Cost is $96 for donors and $120 for non-donors

Pre-registration is required for workshops by contacting 239-395-0900 or info@bigarts org

F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , v i s i t www bigarts org or call 239-395-0900

CROW Calendar

The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife, at 3883 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel, will present the following:

∫ Today, Feb. 2 2

Speaker Series at 1 p m

Curator of Florida and manatees at ZooTampa, Molly Lippincott will present “Manatee Critical Care” via Zoom The talk will dive into the care facility at ZooTampa It will discuss the rescue, rehab and release of injured, orphaned and sick manatees Cost is free or by donation To register, visit https://www eventbrite com/o/clinic-fort h e - r e h a b i l i t a t i o n - o f - w i l d l i f e - c r o w -

32068914951

CROW's campus on Sanibel is currently closed due to Hurricane Ian

For more information, visit http:// www crowclinic org/ or call 239-4723644