Sanibel Island Reporter/Islander

Church to kick off Love Sanibel Businesses Back

Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church is launching an initiative to support the islands' businesses and services and is asking the community to join in to make a meaningful impact

Every week through the summer, Love Sanibel Businesses Back will highlight a different set of businesses, where a mix and mingle gathering will be held The kickoff event will take place on June 3 at 11:30 a m at

See LOVE SANIBEL BUSINESSES BACK, page 10

The Love Sanibel Businesses Back initiative will kick off on June 3 at 11:30 a m at the Over Easy Cafe and Olde Sanibel Shoppes on Sanibel. Pictured are Over Easy Cafe owners Trasi Sharp and Liza Clouse with some of their team members. SAINT MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Planning commission recommends changes for Bailey’s

By TIFFANY REPECKI trepecki@breezenewspapers com

The Sanibel Planning Commission supported the adoption of an ordinance to amend the Master Development Plan for the Bailey's Shopping Center's Planned Unit Development at a recent meeting

On May 14, the commission voted 6-0 on a resolution recommending that the Sanibel City Council adopt an ordinance amending the Land Development Code to amend the PUD and to revise the master plan for the property at 2477 Periwinkle Way the shopping center and 2431

Periwinkle Way

In approving the resolution, the commissioners found that the LDC amendments proposed by the applicant were consistent with the Sanibel Plan and met the requirements of the LDC sections

The application requesting the amendments was submitted by land use planner Dan DeLisi, with DeLisi Inc , on behalf of the property owners, Baileys Center LLP and Periwinkle Adventures LLP

Before the vote, Deputy Planning Director Craig Chandler outlined the city staff's report for the commission, which

included the issues under consideration, background on the property, proposal by the applicant and analysis of the draft Master Development Plan and proposed text amendments

The proposed plan reconfigures building placement and size, to include expanding parking areas under and around structures, and increases required vegetation buffers for the redevelopment of the center

Staff added that the plan provides other information including commercial zoning

See PLANNING COMMISSION, page 20

Event covers preparation and more f or storm season

By TIFFANY REPECKI trepecki@breezenewspapers com

The city of Sanibel held its annual Hurricane Seminar last week featuring a panel of experts

Held on May 24 at BIG ARTS on Sanibel, it provided residents, businesses and island employees with information on

recovering from a storm Free and open to the community, the seminar consisted of a lineup of speakers, followed by a question-and-answer session

“If notice I said if heavy weather, a weather event threatens our island communities, please pay attention, stay informed, listen to the experts,” Mayor Richard Johnson said in opening the event.

“When they advise that you move off island temporarily, have your plan ready,” he added “Have in that plan everything that you need, all your documents and

SanCap Resilience seeking community input via survey

In March of 2023, SanCap Resilience ered community data during its program BIG ARTS on Sanibel It has used the da to inform the programs that it has spon sored and also the materials and resources that it has made available to the public

“A year later, it is our expectation that the community's needs and concerns have changed,” it reported “To learn more abou what's on the minds of people who live an work on Sanibel and Captiva today, SanC Resilience has put together an online surve

s to have as many people as possible come the survey and provide input ”

The survey is intended for full-time and seasonal residents and those work on the islands

It should take about 10 minutes or less to complete

SanCap Resilience reported that those who take the survey will help inform its uture work, which could include online ources, community educational events, ation of grant funding for resiliency projects,

planning related to the community's resilience and more.

“SanCap Resilience is a citizen-led effort, so it's important that we understand the needs and concerns that community members have,” Steering Committee Chair Bob Moore said “We also want to understand community members' priorities as we make plans for the future ”

Responses to the survey will be anonymous, but the summary data will be made public

To take the survey, visit https://bit ly/3QIP7mw Staff at F I S H of Sanibel-Captiva and the Sanibel Public Library are available to help those who need assistance completing the survey

FDOT provides update on causeway project

Transportation reported that crews have moved traffic to the permanent lanes on the Sanibel Causeway The causeway islands surrounding the temporary roadway are an active work zone and closed to public access, including from the water

∫ Motorists should expect traffic to be intermittently stopped at the staging area entrance as equipment crosses the road with materials for work on the south side of McGregor Boulevard.

∫ Motorists should expect daytime lane closures at the intersection of Punta R

County to repair and install temporary traffic signals On island (westbound) lane closures are not anticipated before 10 a m and off island (eastbound) lane closures are not anticipated after 3 p m Flagging

should be aware of overhead work and construction crews within the median and near the travel lanes.

∫ Motorists should expect one lane of eastbound travel to continue from the toll plaza to Shell Point Road on the south (beach) side of McGregor The shoulder (south/beach side) remains fully closed to access The closure is necessary for crews

devices (marine mattresses) to reinforce the shoreline The closure is expected to be in place through the summer The contractor may intermittently use the lane for materials delivery.

∫ Motorists traveling westbound on McGregor may experience short delays for FHP to stop vehicles to allow materials deliveries to access the staging area at Punta Rassa

∫ Crews are installing underground devices (marine mattresses) to reinforce the shoreline, sea wall and retaining wall along the causeway

C

islands. Expect construction equipment

periodically entering/leaving the travel lanes when necessary The contractor is

hours

∫ The westbound merge location is now west of the toll plaza Motorists are urged to use caution and obey the 20 mph speed limit Construction vehicles and equipment continue to enter/exit the staging area near the location

Many oversized vehicles are crossing the causeway to assist with recovery

efforts on the island Please be patient as

Bicyclists are encouraged to utilize another mode of transportation to travel the causeway and pedestrians are not permit-

reminded to obey the posted speed limit of 20 mph

For more information about the proj-

Causeway

NOAA forecasts ‘above normal’ hurricane season

By CJ HADDAD cjhaddad@breezenewspapers com

Forecasters at the NOAA National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center are prognosticating “above-normal” hurricane activity in the Atlantic basin this year

NOAA officials state they believe there is an 85% chance of an above-normal season, a 10% chance of a near-normal season and 5% chance of a belownormal season

NOAA is forecasting between 17 to 25 total named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), with eight to 13 to become hurricanes and with four to seven major hurricanes (Category 3,4, or 5) Officials state they have a 70% confidence rate in the ranges

Factors for this prediction are due to near-record warm ocean temperatures in the Atlantic, as well as development of L

N

Officials say reduced Atlantic trade winds and less wind shear are also major players, as they tend to favor tropical storm formation

“With another active hurricane season approaching, NOAA’s commitment to keeping every American informed with life-saving information is unwaveri n g , ” N O A A A d m i n i s t r a t o r R i c k Spinrad said in a statement “AI-enabled language translations and a new depiction of inland wind threats in the forecast cone are just two examples of the proactive steps our agency is taking to meet our mission of saving lives and protecting property ”

As officials state that one of the strongest El Ninos ever observed is nearing its end, NOAA scientists predict a quick transition to La Nina conditions, which are conducive to Atlantic hurricane activity because La Nina tends to

See NOAA FORECAST, page 7

LVWLee accepting candidate questions for guide, forums

The League of Women Voters of Lee County is developing questions for Lee C o u n t

V O T E 4 1 1 Voter Guide and candidate forums

It is seeking short questions on a single specific topic consistent with its nonpartisan policy, applicable to all candidates for the office The LWVLee is developing questions for the following offices:

City of Bonita Springs

City of Cape Coral

City of Fort Myers

Commissioners

Lee County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller

District Board

Lee County Property Appraiser

Lee County Supervisor of Elections ∫ Lee County Tax Collector ∫ Lee Memorial Health System Board of Directors

∫ Town of Fort Myers Beach

Proposed questions can be submitted by May 31 to lwvlee@lwvlee org

The LWVLee is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major policy issues and influences public policy through education and advocacy

For more information, visit www lwv lee org

OPINIONS

Web Poll

Don’t blame local animal services

We have come to dread the spring

Yes, we love the perfect temperatures not too hot, not too cold

We enjoy the breeze on the lanai

But every year, just when the weather in Southwest Florida turns perfect warm sunny days, cool breezy nights, we get the perennial notification: “Kitten season in full swing ”

For those of us who consider our four-legged furries family members, it’s a buzz kill worse than the start of mosquito season

Each spring, shelters such as Lee County Domestic Animal Services get inundated with guests that might be better called frightened and confused conscripts Many are cats and kittens and it is harder for shelters and rescues to find homes for them as compared to dogs and puppies

Each year, the numbers are high

Too high for any pet lover

What happens to these animals?

According to Lee County Domestic Animal Services, most have what could be called a positive outcome A handful are claimed by their owners Some are brought to the agency as trapneuter-release strays and they are treated and released back to their colony location Many are transferred to various rescues Some are adopt-

Editorial

ed into their “forever” home, a best-case scenario

For the rest, a trip to the shelter is a death sentence

For those troubled by what is euphemistically called euthanasia, let us emphasize that this is not a problem with Domestic Animal Services

We will again quote Pogo:

“We have met the enemy and he is us.”

Those of us who do not spray or neuter

Those of us who think it’s OK for pets to free roam

Those of us who buy a pedigreed or trendy cross-breed only to discover that we should have done some research before paying plenty for a companion with traits that require lots of training or expensive care

But back to “kitten season,” AKA breeding season

Each year, Lee County Domestic Animal Services, along with other shelters like the Cape Coral Animal Shelter, see a large increase in cats and kittens

And sometimes, in mother dogs and fresh litters of puppies

We all love little fur balls but allowing pets to have litters is the reason the primary reason for the number of cats and kittens, dogs and puppies in shelters, rescues, fosters and more

The best solution remains prevention, getting pets spayed or neutered and, if you have a hankering to add a new family member of the four-legged kind, to adopt one from a shelter that really, really, REALLY needs a home

The Lee County Domestic Animal Services websites lists a handful of low-cost clinics at leegov com

The Cape Coral Animal Shelter also offers low-cost veterinary services, including spay and neuter A list of services offered, including a cost schedule, may be found at capecoralanimalshelter com

Each site also features a wealth of “adoptables,” young and senior alike

Spay. Neuter. Adopt, don’t shop.

It’s the solution for what ails us

Island Reporter editorial

Center marks 30 years of serving community

More than any other disease or illness, traumatic injuries are a leading cause of death among people who are 1 to 44 years old

Traumatic injuries can include motor vehicle collisions, sports injuries, unexpected falls and accidents, wounds from natural disasters and a multitude of other physical injuries, which can occur at home, in public, while driving, at work, or anywhere else and require immediate care

This year, the Trauma Services District, located at Lee Health's Gulf Coast Medical Center, celebrates three decades of dedicated service to the residents and visitors of Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee counties In honor of the 30year anniversary and in conjunction with Trauma Awareness Month in May, the Trauma Center is focused on amplifying education, awareness and resources for the Southwest Florida community

Trauma Center at Gulf Coast Medical Center

Guest Commentary

The Trauma Center at Gulf Coast Medical Center currently averages about 400 patients each month and treats the most complex and life-threatening cases, with more than 90% involving blunt trauma from falls, motor vehicle accidents and motorcycle crashes These accidents and injuries can have a profound, lifelong impact on individuals, families and communities

Previously located at Lee Memorial Hospital, the Trauma Center moved in 2022 as part of a major expansion to the hospital to enhance patient care and better serve the Southwest Florida community The health system made history at the time as the first health system in Florida to move a trauma program The Gulf Coast Medial Center is at 13681 Doctor's Way, Fort Myers

The Trauma Center is a safety net for many families and individuals in the community as they go about their everyday lives, not anticipating sustaining a traumatic injury

this crucial first hour following severe injury can mean the difference between temporary and permanent disability and even life and death

The centrally-located Gulf Coast Medical Center makes this possible for cases in the fivecounty area

Studies of conventional trauma care show that up to 35% of trauma patient deaths could have been prevented if a trauma center had been available nearby

The Trauma Center at Gulf Coast Medical Center also relies on a span of services known as the trauma continuum, beginning with 911 dispatchers, Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), paramedics, EMS, pilots, flight nurses, fire departments and law enforcement

Once life saving measures have occurred for the patient, the care expands to include emotional and psychological side effects that impact the entire family, including support groups and mentor programs

The Trauma Center is also a resource for the community to help raise awareness of injury prevention and safety with programs, including High Risk Driver, Young Driver, Youth Violence Prevention, Driving Safety for Seniors, Falls Prevention and Sports Injury prevention

Since opening in 1994, the only stateapproved Trauma Center between Sarasota and Miami has seen 58,261 patients, with the number continuing to rise as the population in Southwest Florida continues to grow

Supporting community, providing life-saving care

Trauma centers play a key role in saving thousands of lives by ensuring that severely injured patients receive critical care within the “Golden Hour ” Treatment administered during

To learn more about Lee Health's trauma services, visit www leehealth org

Syndi Bultman is trauma injury prevention and resource coordinator for Lee Health For more information, visit https://www leehealth org/

Syndi Bultman

CEPD bond referendum passes in special election

By TIFFANY REPECKI trepecki@breezenewspapers com

Island property owners signed off on a referendum that will enable the Captiva Erosion Prevention District to proceed with securing a bond loan for the postHurricane Ian beach renourishment

A Special Election took place on May 21 for voters in the CEPD's jurisdiction.

The bond referendum asked if the CEPD should issue special assessment

bonds not exceeding $25 million for the Captiva Island 2024-25 Emergency Beach Maintenance Renourishment Project

Out of the 258 registered voters eligible to cast a ballot, 100 did a total voter turnout of 38 76% According to Lee County Elections, 83 voted in favor of the referendum and 17 voted against it CEPD Commission Chairman John Wade thanked the community for its support

“The commissioners are very grateful to the voters of Captiva Island for their o v e r w h e l m i n g s u p p o r

funding for beach nourishment,” he said

“The 83-17 vote in favor demonstrates our community's strong commitment to recovering and preserving our beautiful coastline ”

“This funding is crucial in protecting our environment, tourism and local economy We will work diligently to ensure

Summer reading program to return to library system

Summer Reading Program

The Lee County Library System, which includes the Captiva Memorial Library, participates in the nationwide C

Program to foster a lifelong love of reading and learning for readers and help prevent the summer slide for younger readers Educators estimate children in third through fifth grades lose about 20% of their school-year gains in reading every summer

The free, all-ages Summer Reading Program will begin on June 1 and run through Aug 3, featuring online and in-person adventure-themed reading challenges, programs and events

This year's reading challenge will provide online and offline options. Each version of the challenge is offered in four age categories: birth to age 5, children ages 6-11, teens ages 12-18 and adults, with content tailored to match each age group's interests

The program is completed using the READsquared app at https://leelibrary readsquared com, which allows participants to log reading time and complete missions to earn extra points

toward the summer completion goal

The paper-based Adventure Bucket List Bookmark, available at all library branches, will send participants on 15 adventure-themed activities All participants will be eligible for the prize baskets at the end of the program Every child and teen visiting the l i b

offered a free new book, while supplies last

Along with the reading challenge, each branch will feature events, including summer kickoff parties, animal and nature experiences, art workshops, musical performances, science and magic presentations, and a comedy stunt show The Captiva library is offering the following free programming this week:

Adult programs

∫ June 3-5: Summer Reading Program Crafts (daily during operating hours)

Enjoy a variety of Summer Reading Program table-top crafts and activities, while supplies last

responsibly and in the best interest of the tax payers,” Wade added “There is much work to do going forward, knowing we have community support goes a long way ”

echoed that sentiment

“I'm really proud of the community for

With the approach of hurricane season, Lee County is encouraging residents to take steps to prepare their landscaping and those in gated communities to be sure their associations are ready, too

∫ Do not wait until a storm is forecast to impact the county Prune any trees or shrubs that could damage a home or pool cage

∫ Survey the property for any items that would become a projectile during a storm Secure them or set them out for disposal Keep in mind that typically garbage collections are suspended 24 hours prior to a hurricane making landfall in the area

∫ Yard trimmings can be set out in waste cans, paper lawn and leaf bags, or tied with cotton string into bundles weighing 50 pounds or less Palm fronds do not need to be tied if they are stacked neatly at the curb in piles weighing less than 50 pounds

∫ Residents can take paint, fertilizer, pesticides or other chemicals to the county facility for safe and responsible disposal It is an easy, drive-through process available to all residents at no additional charge. Businesses need to make an appointment to drop off chemicals during the monthly business collection The Household Chemical Waste drop-off location is open each weekday from 8 a m to 5 p m and the first Saturday of each month from 8 a m to noon at 6441 Topaz Court in Fort Myers

In addition, professional property managers and residential homeowners' association presidents should take steps now to

LEE COUNTY

Special election

From page 6

beach renourishment,” he said. “The passing of the bond referendum is an important step in allowing us to move forward with the project to restore the beach to pre-storm conditions ”

Covering from the northern end at Redfish Pass on south to Blind Pass, the project will involve about 800,000 to 900,000 cubic yards of sand placed over 25,600 feet of shoreline and an average added beach width of 80 to 100 feet CEPD staffers and consultant APTIM are currently reviewing the bids

“We're still evaluating the bids that we received for the beach renourishment project,” Munt said “I would anticipate that we would have a formal recommendation probably by the July meeting ”

Three project timelines were sought as part of the bid:

Storm season From page 6

protect their community in the event of a hurricane or other declared major disaster FEMA regulations require that private or gated communities have a current Right of Entry and Indemnification form on file with the county before disaster debris

∫ Fall of this year, with a start date of Oct. 1

∫ Winter of 2025, with a start date of Jan 1

∫ Spring of 2025, with a start date of May 1

Munt previously explained that the CEPD has no intention of assessing property owners the $25 million Securing the bond loan will provide the interim cash flow to cover the project's costs

“The reason we have to go out for the $25 million is grant funding is obligated on a reimbursement basis,” he said earlier “We have to expend the funds in order to seek reimbursement for them ”

The CEPD has already obtained a $13 2 million commitment from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Staff is seeking out additional potential funds at the state level, as well as funding from the county

recovery crews are allowed to enter the community There is an easy, online process for submitting the paperwork, which must be completed annually Forms are available at https://leegis leegov com/ROE for communities located within

Summer reading From page 6

Teen programs

∫ June 3-5: Summer Reading Program Crafts (daily during operating hours)

Enjoy a variety of Summer Reading Program table-top crafts and activities, while supplies last.

Children programs

∫ June 3-5: Summer Reading Program Crafts (daily during operating hours)

Enjoy a variety of Summer Reading Program m table-top crafts and activities, while supplies last

, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a m to 12:30 p m and 1 to 4 p m

For more information about a program or to register, call 239-533-4890

www leelibrary net/summer

through a new interlocal agreement that is currently under discussion

“The amount of the assessment is going to be reduced by the amount of grant funding that we've already been obligated, and we're seeking additional grant funding,” Munt said previously

The aim is to fully fund the project, or at least to reduce the cost to the smallest assessment possible

As for next steps, Munt reported that the commission will first need to approve a contractor

“Once we're ready to proceed with the project, that's when we'll obtain the bond loan,” he said, explaining that the CEPD will avoid accruing unnecessary interest by waiting until then

All election results are unofficial until certified

unincorporated Lee The Right of Entry would only be utilized as necessary during the recovery period following a declared State of Local Emergency

Lee County Solid Waste asks that all HOAs take time to complete the form prior

In addition, the library system is offering the following free virtual programming:

Adult programs

∫ June 3: Online Author Event with Matt Shindell from 2 to 3 p m

Space Museum curator Matt Shindell as he introduces historical figures across eras and around the world who have made sense of this mysterious planet By focus-

to the start of each hurricane season For more information or questions, contact Solid Waste at 239-533-8000

For more information on preparing for storm season, visit www leegov com/hurricane

ing on the diverse human stories behind the telescopes and behind the robots, he will show how Mars exploration has evolved in ways that have also expanded knowledge about other facets of the universe Registration is required

Download books, stream video and o

a t www leelibrary net

The Captiva Memorial Library is at 11560 Chapin Lane, Captiva

Revenue projections give school district pause

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

The School District of Lee Coun facing a large reduction in its five-y capital plan $178 7 million du to reductions in the capital outlay mill age, sales tax and impact fees, the main sources of funding for its capital revenue

“This is going to have a drastic effect on what we are able to do with capital dollars The capital committee i meeting regularly to adjust the plan

B u d g e t D i r e c t o r K e l l y L e t c h e r s adding that they still have to have stude tions and maintenance at their schools working on that plan with the hope to bring it back in June We will continue to monitor these numbers and keep you updated for additional increases and decreases ”

Chief Financial Officer Dr Ami Desamours said overall the information is not necessarily that the growth is not relatively healthy because it is. She said sales tax revenue from one year over the next is growing, but not at the more accelerated rate as what they projected before

“It shows a healthy growth,” Desamours said, adding

NOAA forecast

lessen wind shear in the tropics To pair with those conditions, abundant oceanic heat content in the tropical Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea creates more energy to fuel storm development

“Severe weather and emergencies can happen at any moment, which is why individuals and communities need to be pre-

that the five-year plan is scaled back to be conser“What is decreasing is the estimates we had in our current capital plan hat we are planning is based suffiently conservative in revenue projecions ”

Letcher provided an update to the school board on May 23 that included major changes that will affect the capital plan moving forward

She said the capital outlay millage ad an estimate of $221 million for fisl year 2025, a 6% increase over the 24 amount Currently there is a $3 7 n decrease, which would equate to $ lion over a five-year period reduction

The sales tax is slowing down in the district’s collection rate

“We are about $3 million down from where we believed we would be at this time,” Letcher said. “When we do our projections, we go to the Economic and Demographic Research they are also predicting a slowdown in sales tax ”

She said with the projections, they are decreasing their projections for FY25 from $129 79 million to $122 6 million a decrease of $7 million She said the antici-

From page 2

Administrator Erik A Hooks said in a statement. “Already, we are seeing storms move across the country that can bring additional hazards like tornadoes, flooding and hail Taking a proactive approach to our increasingly challenging climate landscape today can make a difference in how people can recover tomorrow ” NOAA officials state they will upgrade

pation is $46 million decrease in sales tax revenue through the end of the sales tax period

Desamours said the revenue from FY24 to FY25 is still increasing

Letcher said there are also lower collections for impact fees The current year is down about $9 million

“So, based on that, we are looking at decreasing impact fee projections. We had currently projected about $36 9 million It’s dropping to $30 million,” she said Over a five-year period, that would be about a $50 1 million reduction

Board Member Cathleen Morgan said maybe it is time to reopen the conversation with the county commissioners regarding impact fees

Board Member Armor Persons said the impact fees are what bother him the most, and he agrees that a conversation with the county commissioners is needed

“The five-year is pretty conservative,” Persons said “In the five-year plan what would slow that down is the permitting process. Some of these developments have not yet been permitted That will be more in the five-to-10year projection ”

He said in the next five years, there will be so much that will be built and come online

“I appreciate you being conservative,” Persons said

their observing systems critical in understanding and forecasting hurricanes. The projects will provide more observations of t h e o c e a n a n d a

Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico, on the east coast of the United States and in the tropical Atlantic

University, one of the leading entities in

hurricane season forecasts now in its 41st year predicted an “extremely active” season in their initial 2024 estimate The team points to record warm tropical and eastern subtropical Atlantic sea surface temperatures as a primary factor for the high number this year

Read the full article for free online by visiting www captivasanibel com

BUSINESS

Fire district staffer completes program

The Sanibel Fire and Rescue District announced that Administrative Assistant Greta Fulkerson com-

p l e t e d t h e C

Professionals (CDAP) Program through the Florida Association of Special Districts (FASD)

The certification aims to equip administrative professionals with a competitive advantage They provide seamless operations in the office, while attending to an array of daily operations and seeking ways to improve efficiency

Longtime city employee says goodbye

T e r r i W e i c h , a n employee with the city of Sanibel for 27 years, recently resigned

She expressed goodb y e s t o h e r f r i e n d s , friends at PW, residents Bob R , Dr B, Sharron, Larry and contractors, W i l l , R o n , J a y , K e n , Dave and Jessy

Weich added that she will miss them all, but other communities need her help and knowledge

t o r e c o v e r f r o m Hurricane Ian

She hopes to see all of them out and about. Foundation holds annual par tner breakfast

T h e F o u n d a t i o n for Lee County Public Schools held its 33rd a n n u a l P a r t n e r s i n

E d

our Schools Breakfast

o

B

D

T

i n Fort Myers

It aims to honor business and community partners in district schools, report on highlights of founda-

t i o n i n i t i a t i v e s a n d allow the superintendent to update the community on the “state of our schools ” Themed “Addams Family School is Ghoul” this year, members of the Executive Committee and See BUSINESS NOTES, page 10

The SanCap Chamber of Commerce and an

reopening ribbon-cutting on May 10 on

Chamber applauds return of Suncatchers Dream

The addition of Suncatchers Dream to the restored Sanibel retail landscape occasioned a SanCap Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting on May 10

The popular jewelry and gift shop held its soft opening on March 4, along with neighbor Over Easy Cafe, but it has been keeping its signature wares available to fans the whole time that it rebuilt its mostly demolished store

“ W e

Thompson said “We’re bringing back all the lines you love us for and lots of new products to refresh So, the store will have my flair from the past but with an updated gallery feel I will never forget how Rachel Pierce brought us together at the island market our temporary outside home while we rebuilt It kept us connected to our community during the hard and emotional times ”

Originally located at Periwinkle Place, whimsical Suncatchers Dream moved to its current home in 2005 It is known for unusual handmade, small-business products, including its line of Dune Jewelry and diverse selection of greeting cards

recovery ordeal

“From day one of the soft opening, people wanted to say ‘hi’ and give us a hug and were so excited to see us,” he said “The chamber has been so supportive of us as a business community family, as well as personal resident family We live here and work here They had our back We are grateful to the chamber for continuing to fight for water quality issues throughout our Hurricane Ian situation ”

“Suncatchers Dream has become such a cornerstone of the island shopping experience,” chamber President and Chief Executive Officer John Lai said “I feel that now we are truly becoming whole again with Daniel and his island-y shop back in place A stop into Suncatchers Dream before or after dining at Over Easy it’s quintessential.”

Suncatchers Dream is at 630 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel

Sanibel Sea School rebuild moving along

T

recently spent several hours cleaning, organizing and returning artifacts to the shelves of Bailey's General Store They were preparing for the installation of new displays they designed and researched, which will debut in the fall In addition, the village reported that the construction fence has been removed from around the School House However, there is still a lot to be done on the grounds and its interiors, as well as at the Burnap Cottage and Miss Charlotta's Tea Room

reported that the Sanibel Sea School's front building construction is progressing Facilities Manager Jeff Siwicke recently provided the following updates: the interior has undergone complete demolition and cleaning, with framing in place; the plumbing foundation is established and ethernet cables are installed; new flooring and drywall are laid and the walls received their first coat of primer; work on the ceiling tile grid started and the SCCF is waiting for LCEC to hook up the grid; and cabinetry installation is about to begin and doors are installed

SANIBEL FIRE AND RESCUE DISTRICT

Terri Weich

SANIBEL CAPTIVA COMMUNITY BANK

SANCAP CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

appreciative crowd gathered for the Suncatchers Dream

Sanibel.

Thompson embraces the community support that he and his returning staff have felt throughout the whole

SANIBELCAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION

SANIBEL HISTORICAL MUSEUM AND VILLAGE

Love Sanibel Businesses Back

the Over Easy Cafe and Olde Sanibel Shoppes, at 630 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel

“This campaign is a great idea and one that should come to fruition We absolutely need to mind the gap,” business owner and Sanibel Mayor Richard Johnson said “Our community needs our businesses to be there for them once they all return; our businesses need us all to support them now so that they will be there for us in the future ”

Organizers saw the need and recognized how challenging it is for businesses to operate sustainably while the islands are not back to capacity The need is great and may be ongoing for some time.

“Since these are businesses and services that greatly improve the quality of our lives on Sanibel and Captiva, day in and day out, now it’s our turn to support them, to love them back, until our islands are fully restored,” they reported

A secondary goal of the initiative is to encourage the islands to continue to gather and support one another and to foster a sense of community and belonging The Rev William “Bill” Van Oss reported that it is an extensions of Saint Michael's overall mission “to encourage one another in our daily

lives to act in ways that show everyone they are loved, equally valued and belong ”

The schedule of events is as follows:

∫ June 3: Over Easy Cafe and Olde Sanibel Shoppes at 11:30 a m

∫ June 10: Pinocchio's Original Italian Ice Cream and Periwinkle Place Shops at 2 p m

∫ June 18: The Sanibel Cafe and Tahitian Gardens Shops at 9 a m

∫ June 25: The Magic Bus Ice Cream & Caffeine and Lighthouse District Shops at 3 p m

∫ July 3: Jerry's Cafe and The Shops at Jerry's at 9 a.m.

∫ July 10: The Shack of Sanibel, She Sells Sea Shells, Huxters Market, Deli and Liquors and MacIntosh Books + Paper at 2 p m

∫ July 18: Boops by The Bubble Room, Bubble Room Emporium and The Island Store at 3 p m

∫ July 25: The Lighthouse Cafe and Rachel Pierce Art Gallery and Outdoor Market at 11:30 a m

∫ Aug 2: Sanibel Deli & Coffee Factory, Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife Gift Shop and SanCap Pak-N-Ship

Obituaries

at 9 a m

∫ Aug 9: Hirdie Girdie Art Gallery, Tower Gallery and The Sanibel Grill at 4 p m

∫ Aug 17: J N “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge Nature Store from 9 a m to 4 p m and Rosalita's Cantina at 6 p m

∫ Aug 24: Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium from 10 a m to 4 p m and Tutti Pazzi Italian Kitchen at 6 p m

SanCap Chamber of Commerce

President and Chief Executive Officer John La was consulted about the idea and he

helped recommend the first businesses to spotlight and has offered the chamber's support. The community is encouraged to not only attend the gatherings, but to support the businesses on an ongoing basis until Sanibel and Captiva are back up to scale Organizers hope that the events will grow in popularity so they can extend the program to include every business until the islands are restored For questions about the initiative, contact c o m m u n i c a

sanibel org

Interactive guide to open island businesses

The SanCap Chamber of Commerce has a list available of businesses back in

Navigation The GPS-enabled interactive map also pinpoints beach accesses that have opened, bike parking areas and the user's relative location Points of

interest can be filtered by seven categories Users can download the app from the Apple App Store and Google Play They can also access the map o

dermap SANCAP CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Business Notes

From page 8

Superintendent Dr Ken Savage presented the awards while playing Addams Family characters

The 2024 awardees recognized were:

Sanibel Captiva Community Bank

Riverside Church

∫ Volunteer of the Year: Erin Sleppin ∫

Rosanne Eckelmann

Edison National Bank/Bank of the Islands was a major sponsor for the event

Miller-Ber

g named

to SWFL Leadership Class

Miller-Berg joins 27 professionals from area businesses and nonprofits in a SWFL Inc community leadership program Leadership SWFL educates business professionals in the economic, demographic and societal resources and challenges in the region The eight-month program, which kicked off in May, prepares participants to serve as effective leaders by providing a deeper understanding of the community, exploring crucial compo-

nents and diverse perspectives across Southwest Florida

Oregon in 2019 to study public health at Florida Gulf Coast University She earned her bachelor's degree while learning about and volunteering with nonprofits Miller-Berg joined CHR in 2023 and

February She is a member of the Sanibel Captiva Business Women’s Association and Sanibel-Captiva Rotary Club. SWFL Inc is a chamber of commerce serving businesses in Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties

San Cap Community Bank hires Palow

Garrett Palow has joined the Sanibel Captiva Community Bank as a credit analyst in its operations center located at the Bridge Branch in Fort Myers

He is responsible for gathering and analyzing loan applicants’ financial data Palow is a recent graduate of the University of Central Florida with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a concentration in finance A Southwest Florida native, he graduated from North Fort Myers High School and interned at the bank in the summer of 2023

Savannah Miller-Berg

Garrett Palow

PRESERVING PARADISE

SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION

Toxic cane toads making comeback on islands

The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation reported that despite initial hopes that Hurricane Ian had eradicated the islands' invasive giant toads, also known as cane toads, they are making a comeback

Residents are reporting sightings and expressing concern due to their toxicity to cats and dogs

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, the skin-gland secretions of cane toads, which are called bufotoxin, are highly toxic and can sicken or even kill animals that bite or feed on them, putting native animals and domestic pets at risk The bufotoxin may also irritate the skin or burn the eyes of people who handle them The eggs also contain bufotoxin and can harm or kill native animals that consume them

How cane toads got to islands

Cane toads are an exotic invasive species that was discovered on Sanibel in 2013 during summer frog call surveys. The invaders were likely brought to the island by accident in sod, fill or plants

“We had hopes that Hurricane Ian would have eradicated the population with the storm surge,” SCCF Wildlife & Habitat Management Director Chris Lechowicz said “Although it took nearly six months for a sighting, they were found to still exist on the island ”

Their post-Ian survival relates to another common name for them marine toad due to their higher salinity tolerance

When they were first identified 11 years ago, they were very localized at a site off of Middle Gulf Drive. Torrential rain that filled up ephemeral wetlands caused a breeding frenzy that was noticed by the SCCF's frog survey team

“It was all hands on deck to remove as many of these breeding adults as possible because the best and only time to eradicate most invasive species is early, right after detection,” he said “Unfortunately, eggs were already deposited in several areas, so the removal of every adult seen had little effect ”

Each female can lay between 4,000-36,000 eggs, making eradication extremely challenging

After they were first discovered in 2013, cane toads quickly spread across the island and all the way up to South Seas on the north end of Captiva within several years

Identifying cane toads

Unfortunately, they look very similar to the southern toad, which are often misidentified when they are at the same size Cane toads get much larger (6-9 inches) than

Students complete mangrove project with habitat restoration

The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation reported that the sixth- and seventh-graders at The Sanibel School completed their year-long mangrove growth project in May

A collaboration with the SCCF and Coastal Watch, the project has been a part of their curriculum, providing hands-on learning while fostering an understanding of environmental stewardship

Guided by SCCF environmental educator Richard Finkel, the students initiated a mangrove growth study He met with the students to discuss the importance of mangroves and the SCCF’s Marine Laboratory and Coastal Watch programs Finkel challenged the students to experiment with growing red mangrove propagules in different conditions to try and determine their optimal growing environment Recently, the students planted their 400 mangroves along Woodring Road on Sanibel

“This project is a great way for the kids to get handson and see the whole process from the very beginning to planting them at their forever homes at this restoration site,” Coastal Watch Director Kealy Pfau said “They really get a better understanding of the importance of mangroves, especially on our coastal barrier island, how big of an impact they have, and they get their hands dirty and have a memorable learning experience ”

Throughout the year, students cared for their mangrove propagules, subjecting them to different conditions such as fresh water, salt water, bleach mixtures, adding

peat moss, bone meal, algae and more Finkel said the hands-on approach not only reinforced classroom lessons but also instilled a sense of responsibility and ownership over the project

Teacher Michele Mitnitsky highlighted the integration of mangrove lessons into the curriculum, aligning with sixth-grade discussions on erosion and seventh-grade studies on ecosystems

“The kids need to be out there doing stuff They need to learn about the material and understand the material, but then they have to apply it,” she said “It’s essential to their growth and development ”

SCCF staff provides comments at task force meeting

The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation attended the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force's meeting on April 25 to provide comments on various Everglades restoration projects that impact Southwest Florida

Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation Environmental Policy Director Matt DePaolis delivers comments at the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force's meeting on April 25

SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION

Created in 1996, it brings together partners from state, federal, tribal and local governments to help with the task of restoring the Everglades Meeting twice per year in Washington, D C , and in Florida the task force and its subgroups pro-

vide a forum for agencies to share information about Everglades restoration projects, resolve conflicts and report on progress

SCCF Environmental Policy Director Matt DePaolis delivered comments on the Western Everglades Restoration Project (WERP), Lake Okeechobee Component A Reservoir and evaluation of Everglades restoration RECOVER targets, which use biological metrics to evaluate the success of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP)

“It’s really easy to narrowly look at decisions being made about one component of the Everglades, one particular structure, one particular flow way, but when you span out and look at what’s being done and what’s been done, the ramifications are mas-

See MEETING, page 22

Oyster sampling, modeling will inform reef restoration

Continuing a project that began in

Conservation Foundation's Marine Laboratory is teaming up with scientists and students at Florida Gulf Coast University to study oyster set-

Caloosahatchee

The SCCF reported that to reproduce, oysters spawn tiny larvae that move through the water and settle on a surface, where they grow The three-year, EPA-funded study will include sampling 10 sites every two weeks to measure the amount of oys-

See OYSTER SAMPLING, page 22

Cane toad

SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION

Isl and lIvIng

SPD releases weekly blotter

As Sanibel continues to recover from Hurricane Ian, the Sanibel Police Department is committed to keeping the community safe and secure. To support that effort, a weekly police blotter will be issued on Tuesday that will include real time information about law enforcement response to criminal activity

Arrests

∫ Abel Castro Jr , 34, of 908 N W 24th Terrace, Cape Coral, was charged on May 19 with one count of drive while license suspended revocation equivalent status, two counts of probation violation and one count of out-of-county warrant

∫ Mark Allen Furr, 54, of 1666 Middle Gulf Drive, Sanibel, was charged on May 15 with two counts of assault aggravated with intent to commit a felony, one count of firing weapon in public or on residential property, one count of DUI unlawful blood alcohol refusal to submit DUI testing, one count of weapon offense use firearm under influence of alcohol and one count of DUI unlawful blood alcohol DUI influence of alcohol or drugs

∫ Seneca Santana, 43, of 2208 Christopher Ave , Lehigh Acres, was charged on May 20 with one count of DUI unlawful blood alcohol DUI influence of alcohol or drugs.

Other enforcement actions

∫ On May 17, a traffic stop was initiated on a vehicle for excessive speed The driver was subsequently issued a notice to appear for unlawful speed (78 mph in a 35 mph zone).

∫ On May 18, officers responded to a report of a man walking in a wooded area with a rifle Upon arrival, officers located a vehicle illegally parked with an incorrect license plate attached Shortly after, two males hunting iguanas with an air rifle were located in the same area Upon further investigation, the registered owner of the vehicle was issued a notice to appear for tag attached not assigned, the license plate was seized and the vehicle towed The two males were educated on hunting iguanas on Sanibel and picked up by another licensed driver

∫ On May 19, a traffic stop was initiated on a vehicle for excessive speed The driver was subsequently issued a citation for unknowingly driving with a suspended license The license plate was also seized and the vehicle towed from the scene

∫ On May 20, a traffic stop was initiated on a vehicle for excessive speed The driver was subsequently issued a citation for speeding and a notice to appear for never having a driver’s license issued The vehicle was removed from the scene by a licensed driver

Enforcement operations statistics

From May 14-20:

∫ Alarm calls (business and residential): 7

∫ 911 non-emergency calls: 25

∫ Traffic crashes: 1

∫ Radar details: 67

∫ Traffic stops: 67

Citations issued: 25

Written warnings issued: 11

Verbal warnings issued: 37

∫ Residential area checks: 337

∫ Business area checks: 193

∫ Total area checks: 976

∫ Reported burglaries: 0

Sanibel library to kick off summer reading program

The annual Summer Reading Program Kickoff Party is coming up at the Sanibel Public Library.

Stop by on June 1 from 10:30 a m until noon for games, snacks, raffles and surprise guests This year's theme is “Adventure begins at you Library ” During the party, families can sign up children ages baby to teen for the program to earn books for the Golisano Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida Those unable to attend can still register to log reading on Beanstack at the library and at www sanlib org

Foundation, the library has launched a series of virtual author talks to include bestselling authors and thought leaders. The next one will take place on June 3 at 2 p.m. with Matt Shindell, author of “For the Love of Mars: A Human History of the Red Planet” and curator of Earth and Planetary Science at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum

A historian of science with a background in science studies, he is responsible for the collection of spacecraft, instruments and other artifacts related to the exploration and study of the Earth and solar system Shindell co-hosts the museum's podcast, ”AirSpace ” He curated the exhibition, “Exploring the Planets,” and is leading a curatorial team developing the exhibit “Futures in Space ” Shindell also authored “The Life and Science of Harold C Urey” and coauthored “Spaceships, Our Future in Space” and “Discerning Experts,” and he is co-editor of “Smithsonian American Women ”

Volunteers sought for CROW projects

The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife on Sanibel is signing up volunteers to help maintain its patients' outdoor rehabilitation oasis The projects will include: sealant application to outdoor enclosures on May 30 and weed pulling extravaganza on June 4 For more information or to sign up, visit https://crowclinic org/get-involved/volunteer/

o s t ' s f a m o u s b u r g e r s f o r d i n n e r a n d s t a y e d f o r t h e e l e c t i o n s m e e t i n g

P r e s e n t w e r e O f f i c e r s R a n d y

C a r s o n , B o b B o o t h , J o h n H i r d a n d

C r a i g H e l m a n a n d A

C o l l e e n S e e g e r T h e P o s t i s o p e n o n F r

The Summer Reading Program Kickoff Party will take place on June 1 from 10:30 a m to noon at the Sanibel Public Library.

A question-and-answer session with the author will follow

https://libraryc org/sanlib/upcoming

Additionally, the library has the following programs scheduled:

Today, May 29, Crafternoon with Ms Shannon will take place from 3 to 4:30 p m Ages 4 and up and their

See LIBRARY, page 15

SANIBEL PUBLIC LIBRARY

caregiver can join staffer Shannon Gafgen to make an octopus painting A variety of craft supplies will be available, along with examples of craft options to complete.

t y T h e p r o g r a m w i l l i n c l u d e a n

a r t / c r a f t c e n t e r

O n J u n e 4 , B a b y & T o d d l e r S t o r y t i m e a n d

P l a y d a t e w i l l t a k e p l a c e f r o m 1 0 : 3 0 t o 1 1 : 3 0 a m F o r

a g e s b i r t h t o 3 , b a b i e s a n d t h e i r c a r e g i v e r s w i l l t a k e p a r t i n a s h o r t s t o r y t i m e , s e n s o

Blotter

From page 14

∫ Reported thefts: 0

∫ Total CAD calls: 1,284

May 2024 to date:

∫ Alarm calls (business and residential): 20

∫ Non-emergency calls: 68

∫ Traffic crashes: 2

∫ Radar details: 176

∫ Traffic stops: 124

Citations issued: 44

Written warnings issued: 14

Verbal warnings issued: 74

∫ Residential area checks: 1,197

∫ Business area checks: 556

∫ Total area checks: 2,868

∫ Reported burglaries: 2

∫ Reported thefts: 1

∫ Total CAD calls: 3,662

Impor tant reminders

Those attending the Sanibel Island Farmers Market on Sundays are reminded to park their vehicles in the designated lots

Roadside parking is not allowed on Sanibel and is enforceable with a $150 fine

When leaving Sanibel, motorists are encouraged to travel east on Periwinkle Way In order to minimize the number of

neighborhoods and increase traffic flow, priority is being given to vehicles eastbound on Periwinkle Motorists using Bailey Road southbound, Lindgren northbound and Periwinkle westbound may experience additional delays as traffic flows are adjusted for efficiency

Recreation Center and are valid from the date of purchase through Nov 30 The 2023 permits have expired and are no longer valid

The city of Sanibel's 2021 and 2022 Hurricane Re-entry Passes are still valid If you have one, you do not need to reapply for a new pass

Information for the Sanibel Boat Ramp:

∫ Parking and boat launching fee is $40 per day

∫ P a r k i n g a n d b o a t l a u n c h i n g o n weekends and holidays is with AC/BC permit only

∫ Commercial use is prohibited

∫ Fines for violations at the boat ramp are $500.

Solicitation is not allowed on Sanibel Please share any photos of solicitation

hang tags to police@mysanibel com or use Tip411

Repor ting suspicious activity

Anonymous tips regarding crimes or suspicious activity can be submitted via Tip411:

∫ Text the keyword SANIBEL then your tip to 847411

∫ W e b t i p s c a n b e s u b m i t t e d a t https://www tip411 com/tips/new?alert g roup id=22450

∫ Use the free “Sanibel PD” app for your Android or iOS device

The SPD's non-emergency line is 239472-3111.

F i n d t h e S P D o n F a c e b o o k a t https://www facebook com/SanibelPolice

SPORTS

Recreation center provides update on activities, events

The Sanibel Recreation Center reported on upcoming programs and activities

Annual facility maintenance is taking place From now through May 31, the gymnasium will be closed The weight room, pools and outdoors courts will be open. Yoga, power sculpting, mat pilates and bootcamp will be held in the Pelican Room Zumba, cycling and jazz will be held in the Egret Room

From June 1-9, the center will be fully closed for maintenance Beach parking, dog license and other activities will be available for purchase at the Sanibel Planning Department, at 2475 Library Way, Sanibel; hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a m to 5 p m

New and current members can call 239-472-0345 or stop by the front desk for assistance with setting up their CivicRec account

A variety of memberships, passes and punch cards are available

The center is open on Mondays through Thursdays from 7 a m to 7 p m , Fridays from 7 a m to 5 p m and Saturdays from 8 a m to 5 p m

For more information, visit https://www mysanibel com/government/recreation2

The Sanibel Recreation Center is at 3880 SanibelCaptiva Road, Sanibel

DDWS reports on refuge programming and more

The “Ding” Darling Wildlife SocietyFriends of the Refuge provided the following updates for the J N “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, at 1 Wildlife Drive, Sanibel:

∫ Effective June 1, the gate times for Wildlife Drive will change to 7 a m through 8 p m

∫ The refuge will offer Free Summer Programs from June 1 through July 31

∫ Photographer-artist Niki Butcher's “Daydreaming” exhibition kickoff has been postponed until the late fall or early 2025

∫ Wellness in Nature is scheduled for January

∫ The 13th annual “Ding” Darling & Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament will take place on May 9

REFUGE/DDWS

REFUGE/DDWS

Team Salt Rock took first place for a $28,080 purse at the 12th annual “Ding” Darling & Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament on May 10.

The Calusa Waterkeeper recently released its monthly water sample results for fecal indicator bacteria on May 18. For more information, including historical data, visit https://calusawaterkeeper.org/.

Tarpon tour ney raises more than $100K

The “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge reported that early estimates for the 12th annual “Ding” Darling & Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament on May 10 indicate earnings of over $100,000 from sponsorships and donations to support water-quality research and conservation at the J N “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel. To date, the tourney has raised $1,280,000 and it has awarded an additional $439,190 to the winning teams during its 12-year history The first-ofits-kind event to benefit conservation and award 100% of its fees to winners, it began to support local fishing guides and connect with anglers to educate and make them part of conservation efforts.

COASTAL WATCH

Repor t issues with beach buckets

Coastal Watch reported that its Beach Bucket Stations rely on the public's support to function effectively If you notice any missing or damaged buckets, contact coastalwatch@sccf org Coastal Watch is part of the SanibelCaptiva Conservation Foundation family

CITY OF SANIBEL

The J N “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge's Free Summer Programs schedule will include caravan tours.

From page 1

such, and a place that's safe to go.”

City Manager Dana Souza reflected on the September 2022 storm

“Hurricane Ian has given us a new sense of gravity to what this preparation meeting is all about and what this seminar is all about as we move into hurricane season for 2024,” he said “We certainly know what storm surge means now ”

He reiterated what Johnson said about having a plan in place now

“Please don't plan a week before a storm arrives on the radar screen,” Souza said “Ian has taught us that we need to prepare soon you need to be prepared in a lot of ways for an event ”

He also spoke on the importance of evacuating

“As you start to see a storm approach and we're in that predicted path or cone and it's a Category 1, my advice is still plan to get out because it could be a (Category) 3 by the time it gets here,” Souza said

First up among the panel of speakers, L e e C o u n t y E m e r g e n c y M a n

g e m e n t Chief John Schultz provided an overview of his department's role and responsibilities within the county and community

He reported that it conducts any disaster response activities, such as evacuation orders, emergency transportation, emergency shelters, search and rescue, county staging areas, mass feeding to include points-of-distribution and mobile feeding, volunteer and donation management, public information, disaster recovery centers, and curfew and reentry

Schultz advised the public to have a family emergency plan and an emergency supply kit

“When you're here in (evacuation) Zone A, you have to have a plan and you need to enact it,” he said

Sanibel and Fire Rescue District Fire Chief Kevin Barbot gave some background about the district, along with a rundown of its roles and responsibilities on the island before and after a hurricane

“Be prepared, be ready, have a plan and evacuate,” he said “Expect the unexpected I think Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Charley have taught us that ”

Barbot explained that the district will suspended operations when winds reach 45 mph

“

p responding, the fire department will stop responding, EMS will stop responding at 45-mile-an-hour sustained winds,” he said, adding that a Category 3 is typically the cutoff point when the district and its crew will evacuate the island, though it looks at all of the factors

B

i o n received by the district is immediately relayed to the public

He also reviewed some of the lessons that were learned from Ian

“If you have portable (propane) tanks, take them with you Get them away from the structure Make sure they are tied down, make sure they can't get away,” Barbot said “Make sure they are actually unscrewed from whatever devices they are feeding Make sure they are sealed and closed ”

“Salt water and electrical assets do not mix,” he continued, referring to electric vehicles, golf carts and bikes that caught on fire after the storm “My advice is have a plan Get them away from the island ”

“Get your pets off island. Let's keep them safe,” Barbot concluded, explaining that emergency responders removed 300 to 400 of them “It was a major hurdle for all search-and-rescue efforts ”

F I S H of Sanibel-Captiva Disaster

A d m i n i s t r a t i v e D i r e c t o r M a n u e l a Martinez spoke about the agency's role in the community before and after a hurricane, along with its provided services

“It is essential that you and your family are ready before the storm approaches,”

F.I.S.H. Senior Services Director Erika Broyles added “Make preparations now for where you will go ”

She reported that F I S H offers a free Hurricane Preparedness Resource Packet to the community It contains forms to make a plan, basic advice for hurricanes, a list of county shelters, a list of service animal and pet shelters, a list of possible hotels, hurricane information phone numbers, websites, apps and social media, an emergency supplies list and more There is a special needs shelter application included with information, as well

“The county closes the application process if the county is in a five-day cone forecast It's imperative that you get this d

“Another big component of this transportation to shelters can be prearranged by completing this application LeeTran provides transportation to shelters and Lee County EMS to hospitals for those requiring stretchers ”

Sanibel Building Director and Chief Building Official Craig Mole' outlined the following:

Know your flood hazard zone

∫ Most properties on Sanibel are

located in a flood hazard area.

∫ Flood Zone Map is available online on the city's website

∫ All construction must comply with the current edition of the Florida Building Codes

∫ Flood damaged structures that are below flood must have repairs performed subject to the FEMA 50% Rule

Flood insurance for your property

∫ O w

required to have flood insurance

∫ Renters may purchase flood insurance for their contents

∫ Sanibel participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Current rating of 5 provides residents with a 25% reduction in premiums

Protect yourselves from flood hazards

∫ Roadway flooded? Turn around, don't drown!

∫ Know the flood warning signs

∫ Don't ride out the storm at home! Be prepared to evacuate. Designate a place where your family can rendezvous after an evacuation order is issued

Protect your property

∫ Replace/raise your A/C condenser and electrical service up to the base flood elevation plus 3 feet

∫ Use flood resistant materials in the lower level of home that can only be used for storage and parking

Chief William Dalton shared background about the department and reported on the response efforts immediately following Ian and in the days, weeks and months after

See EVENT, page 21

Planning commission

designations, off-street parking, commercial floor area, developed area and impermeable coverage totals. It also proposes combining the parcels to eliminate a shared property line and setback/landscape buffer requirements

Staff noted that subsequent to the LDC process, the applicant will complete an application for a conditional use permit and development permit, which will need the commission's approval

Chandler reported that staff recommended the following in relation to the LDC and PUD:

∫ Deletion of Section 126-1474 Master Vegetation Plan, as redevelopment is required to comply with landscaping and environmental performance standards, the section is now obsolete

In addition, staff recommended the following in terms of the master plan:

∫ A landscape plan is required for submittal with the conditional use permit application in compliance with landscape buffer, vegetation screening, parking islands and environmental performance standards. Revise the vegetation buffer area at the southeast corner of the landscape buffer area so as not to overlap the 15-foot-wide buffer with an open body of water

∫ Approve four points of ingress-egress for efficient traffic circulation, in compliance with Section 126-1404(2)(c), as it relates to maintaining 200 feet from driveway location to the Periwinkle Way/Tarpon Bay Road intersection

∫ Consistent with the Sanibel Plan for scenic preservation, which states concrete and asphalt paving of parking areas should be minimized, encourage the use of suit-

The draft master master concept plan for the redesigned Bailey's Shopping Center on Sanibel.

able pervious surfacing for parking areas to lessen lawful noncompliance to coverage standards (82%) of the Town Center

General Commercial District.

Following the staff presentation, DeLisi spoke on behalf of his client

“The site has been significantly redesigned,” he said, referencing the origi-

Planning commission

nal design plan brought forward in 2021, before Hurricane Ian hit and the entire center had to be demolished due to the extent of the damage “The buildings are broken apart not all one continuous strip center, if you will ”

“There's a lot more pedestrian orientation, a sidewalk kind of right through the middle of the site, so it's a lot more pedestrian focused,” DeLisi continued “We are adding more landscaping, the buffers ”

“We're not asking for any increase in intensity with this Land Development Code change It was 60,000 square feet under the existing code, that's all we're asking for,” he added, explaining that the changes are mostly for conformance “It makes now the building in conformance with the city of Sanibel's codes ”

DeLisi noted that the family business has been operating within the same site since 1965

“All we're doing is redeveloping a property that had already been in continuous operation for a very long time,” he said “It's a benefit to the city, it's something that Sanibel residents have enjoyed for a long

Event From page 18

“We have new passes this year,” he said of the city's hurricane reentry hangtags

Dalton provided the following about the 2024 passes:

∫ There will be a limit of two residential hangtags per household

∫ The colors are green for residential and red for commercial

time, and I think people are eager to see it redeveloped and get back up and running ”

During public comment, a few members

J R EVANS ENGINEERING

of the Bailey's family spoke “The catastrophic storm surge destroyed Bailey's center, requiring us to redevelop

the entire site,” fourth-generation owneroperator Bailie Johnson said “Our new store and shopping center design will meet all current code requirements and keep us above future storm surge We are not asking for any exceptions ”

“We are eager to move forward rebuilding resiliently and are confident we will redevelop in a way that will make our past, present and future community proud,” she added “Thank you for your continued support We look forward to serving this community and its visitors for the next 125 years ”

Fourth-generation owner-operator Dane Johnson thanked city staff for their assistance and time

“The plans that you see before you today are a culmination of almost two years of meeting every other week with our planning team,” he said “Our focus on that is resiliency and to better serve the community, as well as serve our needs to make it easier to serve the community ”

The motion to approve included the staff recommendations

∫ Zone numbers remain on residential hangtags only

The city will begin issuing them on June 3, first starting with residential, then commercial

“In the event we have another storm, it's very likely we're going to have to evacuate,” he said “Heed the evacuation

warning That's the last thing I'll say ”

https://www mysanibel com/

For the county, visit https://www leeg

agement/plan/

To access the Hurricane Preparedness Resource Packet complied by F I S H , visit https://www fishofsancap org/ and click on the “Hurricane Ian Resources” tab F o r m o r e a b o u t t h e N F I P , v i s i t www floodsmart gov

Those unable to attend can watch the v i d e o o f t

Facebook page

Cane toads

From page 12

southern toads (1 5-4 inches) and have several physical characteristics that differentiate them, such as large parotoid glands, cranial crests that outline the eye (as opposed to being interior) and an elongated snout (hence being in the family of beaked toads)

“Larger juveniles and adults of these two species are not hard to differentiate, however toadlets or newly metamorphized toads are practically identical,” Lechowicz said

How to safely remove cane toads

The SCCF reported that since there is no best answer for eradication, the best way to control cane toads on a property is to remove adults when they are seen It will minimize the number of toads that successfully lay eggs and

Meeting

From page 12

sive And we’re seeing the benefits of these projects coming online,” he said DePaolis also informed the task force of the importance to reflect the best available science as it relates to algae blooms within the RECOVER metrics to ensure that the

populate the property

Toads are attracted to bright lights at night and often hide behind garbage cans because both of those attract prey that they eat It is a good time and place to locate them

The most current, ethical and recommended euthanasia method is to rub or spray 20% benzocaine (toothache gel), sunburn spray or Lidocaine on the toad's lower belly It causes the toad to become unconscious Place it in a sealed baggy and put in the freezer, disposing of it after 24 hours Wear gloves and avoid rubbing eyes, nose or mouth during the process

The SCCF noted that no local organizations will take unwanted cane toads.

For questions about correct identification, email info@sccf org

northern estuaries are not suffering from avoidable impacts of restoration projects

“Those RECOVER targets and metrics being used are so important for the protection of all of our ecosystems within the Everglades and the surround areas that are

Oyster sampling

ter larvae and spat juvenile settlement This will be done by measuring growth on shell strings that are deployed during each sampling trip, as well as by taking water samples that are analyzed for oyster larvae at FGCU

“Knowing which sites have the best oyster settlement and larval abundance can help us prioritize the best sites for restoration,” Marine Laboratory Director Dr Eric Milbrandt said

From page 12

During year three of the study, the SCCF will also coordinate oyster reef restoration activities. He explained that it will involve soliciting a bid from a marine contractor to deliver fossil shell to a permitted restoration site The site will be chosen based on the outcomes of larval transport and oyster life history models being led by the University of South F l o r i d a a n d S o u t h F

Management District

Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation

Wildlife & Habitat Management Director Chris Lechowicz with one of the first cane toads discovered on Sanibel in 2013.

SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION

connected to our Everglades,” he said “When we look at some of the science that is now considered the best available science, we’ve confirmed that we know that these huge releases from Lake Okeechobee have a direct exacerbating

“We expect to fine tune our understanding of larval transport and spat settlement in the estuary and build a healthy oyster reef where currently there is a severely degraded reef,” Milbrandt said

The SCCF recently attended a meeting of the SFWMD Governing Board to voice support for the coalescing sampling and modeling projects that will help oyster r e e f r e s t o r a t i o n e f f o r t s i n t h e Caloosahatchee Estuary and beyond

effect on red tide in our coastal environment The single biggest thing we can do to prevent the massacre of wildlife in our coastal ecosystems is prevent some of these harmful algal blooms from moving forward.”

“While attention is often paid to water storage and treatment projects surrounding Lake Okeechobee, it’s important that we build resilience within the system as w e l l , ” E

Matt DePaolis said “Through successful oyster restoration, we can capitalize on the ecosystem services granted to us from healthy oyster reefs including storm protection, wildlife habitat, and water filtration ”

Arguing my way into the Argument Club

Sanibel has a number of very appealing and personally rewarding clubs I joined the Optimists Club and can now look at a glass that is half full and not half empty.

I joined the Whiners Club and can now mix it up with the most annoying and lethal whiners And I am now about to join the Sanibel Argument Club

T

y yelling and screaming at p

yelling and screaming at you But the Argument

C

e anyone in as a member You need to go through a v i g o r o u s

process

On-island summer programming for youths accepting registrations

By TIFFANY REPECKI trepecki@breezenewspapers com

For families looking for something for their children to do over the summer, the city of Sanibel and island organizations and churches are taking registrations for a variety of programs and camps

BIG ARTS, the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of W

Recreation Center and Sanibel Sea School have offerings for all ages and interests from June through August In addition, Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church and the Sanibel Community Church are hosting Vacation Bible School programs

I approached the door of the monthly meeting of the Argument Club I could hear loud screaming and yelling from inside Already this sounded like my kind of club A representative of the club was standing at the door. He said: “What the hell do you want?” I said “I thought this was where the Argument Club meets, not the Verbal Abuse Club ”

He said: “Very funny I see that you’re new here If you want to participate you need to show me that you’re an inveterate arguer before I can let you in We don’t tolerate amateur arguers ”

I said: “Do you call that the beginning of an argument? My dog Flicker can argue better than you can ”

He said: “You don’t even know what an argument is Let me spell it out for you The dictionary defines an argument as a discussion in which reasons are advanced for or against some proposition or proposal. What reasons are you advancing?”

I said: “That your definition of an argument is totally incorrect An argument is a dispute where there is strong disagreement I am arguing against your definition of an argument ”

He said: “How can you argue against my definition of an argument when I have the power and authority of the dictionary at my disposal?”

I said: “Well, I don’t know what dictionary you’re using but you must have read it wrong You shouldn’t be arguing with me You should just let me in ”

He said: “Why should I let you in if you don’t know what an argument is There are some very capable arguers in that room and they would make mincemeat out of you You should come back when you’ve learned the proper definition of argument and are prepared to argue loud, vehemently and obnoxiously ”

I said: “Look, you don’t even know which side of the sun is shining You can’t just bar me from a meeting of the Argument Club without a better reason than that You’re just plain wrong and you happen to be a lousy arguer I’ve seen ten-year-old boys argue better than you ”

“Well, as it happens, we don’t invite ten-year-old boys into our club This club is for adults only And if you’re not an adult you can just go to another club, like the Belch and Burp Club ”

This twerp was really beginning to get to me “I demand to speak to the president of this club I have practiced arguing for months now to prepare myself to become a member I’ve argued incessantly with my accountant about her having picked the Boston Red Sox to win last year’s World Series I’ve argued with the police officer who pulled me over for no reason at all I’ve argued with the IRS about deductions they claim I shouldn’t have taken. I’m a seasoned arguer and demand to be let in ”

I could see him wavering as I wore my emotions on my sleeve I couldn’t imagine any arguer being more obnoxious than me

He opened the door and said: “I’ll let you in but only as an apprentice arguer You need to be more

See ARGUING, page 25

BIG ARTS

The summer youth classes will take place in June and July in the classrooms They will offer youths a creative chance to express their inner artist through visual arts experiences in a variety of mediums

The following programs are scheduled:

∫ June 17: Gelli Art from 10 a m to noon (grades 23)

∫ June 18: Gelli Art from 10 a m to noon (grades 45)

∫ June 19: Gelli Art from 10 a m to noon (grades 68)

∫ June 20: Gelli Art from 10 a.m. to noon (grades 912)

In this mono-printing class led by instructor Erica Sharp, participants will use a Gelli plate a flexible printing plate made of silicone which is a fun and creative way to explore mixed-media art They may also incorporate additional elements, such as collage materials or drawings to further enhance their compositions The cost is $36 for donors and $45 for non-donors

∫ July 8-12: Mosaics and More from 10 a m to noon (ages 10-14)

Participants will have fun learning the art of fused glass, creating projects like wind chimes, dishes, jewelry, wall hangings and more As projects are finished, instructor Petra Kaiser will take them home to fire in the kiln The cost is $81 for donors and $105 for non-donors; supply fee of $35 per student

∫ July 15: Dragon Eye Sculpture from 10 a m to noon (grades 2-3)

∫ July 16: Dragon Eye Sculpture from 10 a m to noon (grades 4-5)

∫ July 17: Dragon Eye Sculpture from 10 a m to noon (grades 6-8)

∫ July 18: Dragon Eye Sculpture from 10 a m to noon (grades 9-12)

In this sculpture class led by instructor Erica Sharp, participants will use air dry clay a soft, easily moldable clay which is a fun and creative way to explore using the hand building method They will have the opportunity to design and bring to life their own dragon

The cost is $36 for donors and $45 for non-donors

BIGARTS org/youth-classes/ or call 239-395-0900

BIG ARTS is at 900 Dunlop Road, Sanibel

Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife

CROW's Wildlife Care Summer Camp will entail four-day weeks in June on its campus Each will combine critical thinking skills learned in a classroom with realworld applications in the STEM field

Participants will spend time with medical staff, students and volunteers learning about Southwest Florida's

The

wildlife and observing demonstrations of medical procedures repairing and treating various injuries and illnesses

Afterward, they will engage in the opportunity to replicate similar procedures during their own dissection labs

The following camps are scheduled:

∫ June 10-13: Royal Terns from 8 a m to 3 p m (grades 2-5)

Participants will play games, practice bandaging patients (stuffed animals), create paper dissections, design enclosures and more The cost is $300

∫ June 17-20: Crows from 8 a m to 3 p m (grades 68)

Participants will attend rehabilitation classes and dissection labs, create a patient spotlight poster board and more The cost is $350

∫ June 24-27: Ospreys from 8 a m to 3 p m (grades 9-12)

Participants will attend rehabilitation classes and detailed dissection labs, learn about common problems wildlife present at the clinic and rehabilitative and veterinary techniques, create a patient board and more The cost is $350

The curriculum meets Florida's Next Generation Science Standards All participants will be provided with and be required to wear standard personal protection equipment (PPE) throughout the day

Volunteers are sought to assist with the camps

To register or for more information, visit https://crowclinic org/education/special-programs/camps/

CROW is at 3883 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel

F.I.S.H. offers summer scholarships for families

F I S H of Sanibel-Captiva offers scholarships to send youths to summer camps throughout the county The Summer Youth Scholarship Program offers limited financial assistance for families who cannot afford the rising cost of childcare and camps. F.I.S.H. is in contact with area camp directors on and off island. An island connection through res-

Services Department determines eligibility for need-based financial assistance through a review of a family's income and expense documentation Scholarship amounts vary depending upon the length and cost of the

Available funding is limited, and scholarships may cover only a portion of the cost. For more information, call Social Services Director Nitza Lopez at 239-472-4775.

F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva

For the first time this year, F.I.S.H. is partnering with Camp Noah and Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church to offer a youth summer program for grades K-5 from June 3-7 at the church Camp Noah is a nationally-acclaimed program where

Art Stevens Shell Shocked

BIG ARTS

BIG ARTS will offer summer youth classes in a variety of mediums in June and July.

CLINIC FOR THE REHABILITATION OF WILDLIFE

Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife will host its Wildlife Care Summer Camp in June

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Arguing

From page 24

S t a t e P a r k i n K e y L a r g o T h e y w i l l h e a d o u t o n a s n o r k e l

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Va c a t i o n B i b l e S c h o o l

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Argument Club But I can see that you may be able to rise to the occasion if one of our members baits you enough Go on in ” I finally felt redeemed and entered the room There were dozens of loud arguments filling the room and I was ready to take my rightful place in the wonderful and emotionally fulfilling world of arguments

Art Stevens is a long-time columnist for the Sanibel-Captiva Islander His

offered with a smile

ISL AND HOME islander

Salt-tolerant golden creeper is true beach baby

Ernodea littoralis, more commonly known as golden creeper or beach creeper, is a great island native that loves salt, sand and sun, making it a great beach planting It is native to

F l o r i d a a n d f o u n d throughout the Florida Keys and up the coast to central Florida It is also found in the Bahamas

a n d m o s t o f t h e Caribbean

Golden creeper is a vine-like shrub with long s l e n d e r b r a n c h e s I t tends to spread rather than grow tall, with a height of about 1-3 feet

Leaves should be a bright green but are more often yellow in color, probably due to the stress of its often harsh environment The flowers produced are small and tubular in shape, with four pink lobes and a long white corolla tube. They will bloom year-round.

The hardy native is most often planted as a groundcover It is especially useful as a driveway or sidewalk border, where full sun, poor soils or distance from a water source make other plants impractical It does not like the cold and will not do well where winter temperatures drop below 35°F

Unpruned plants have a tendency to become leggy Do not clip at all in the winter, but do give it a trim two to three times per year to help shape it as it does tend to sprawl Fertilizing it in the spring will enhance its green color Planted in a dryer location or on the beach, the golden creeper will be a nice addition to the native palette of plants in your landscape

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

SCCF: How to plant a butterfly garden

Native Landscapes & Garden Center has created a guide to help you attract butterflies to your garden. Butterflies are not only beautiful to look at, but they also serve an important ecological role Butterflies pollinate native plants and provide an important food source for many native wildlife species

“The first step to designing and planting a butterfly garden is to plant native plants,” center assistant Sophie Carpenter said “Native plants provide butterflies with both the nectar and foliage they need as caterpillars and adults ”

Choose color ful nectar sources

Choose flowers with bright colors. Butterflies tend to be attracted to red, yellow, orange, purple and pink blossoms Flat-topped and/or clustered flowers are preferred as they provide a place for butterflies to land while feeding Species such as milkweed, goldenrod, yellowtop, water hemlock and elderberry are good options, among many others

“Butterflies need nectar for their entire adult lives, if possible provide a continuous nectar source in your garden by selecting a variety of plants that will bloom at different points throughout the season,” she said

Plant lar val host plants

When planning a butterfly garden, it is important to

See BUTTERFLY GARDEN, page 29

Household chemical waste collection set for islands

Island residents will be able to safely and responsibly dispose of household chemical waste leftover paints, cleaners, herbicides, pesticides, automotive fluids and pool chemicals on June 5

Hosted in partnership with Lee County Solid Waste, a household chemical waste collection event will be held from 9 a m to 1 p m in the parking lot of the Sanibel Public L i b r a r y , a t 7 7 0 D u n l o p R o a d Sanibel Drop off of items will be an easy drive-through process at no

charge

It is part of an interlocal agreement between the city and county to

responsible disposal of chemicals that might otherwise be harmful to people and the environment

These collection events are for residential waste only Businesses

Environmental Services at 276-4770947 or CESQG@MXIINC com to schedule a chemical drop-off

chemical waste and can be set out with regular garbage:

∫ Empty paint cans and dried paint

∫ Empty automotive fluid containers

∫ Small-engine equipment, such as pressure washers, lawnmowers, and weed eaters

∫ Small electronic parts, such as routers, mice and keyboards

∫ Small appliances

∫ Tires

F.I.S.H. to hold distribution event

In partnership with the United Way's Gifts-in-Kind Program, F I S H of Sanibel-Captiva continues to distribute furniture and rebuilding supplies through its Hurricane Ian Point of Distribution (POD) program The next event will take place on May 31 from 9 to 11 a m at the Walk-In Center, at 2430 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel The pro-

gram is available to Sanibel and Captiva residents and workers; recipients must show proof of residency or employment Bring a vehicle large enough for the items and some extra hands to lift them For more information, contact Disaster Administrative Director Manuela Martinez at 239-472-4775 or manuela@fishofsancap org

UF/IFAS launches survey to enhance conservation efforts

Institute of Food and Agricultural

released a Landscape Water Use Survey, which is aimed at homeowners and land managers statewide

The responses will help scientists understand how much the average resident irrigates the landscape and how people learn how to conserve water

“We are hoping to collect data from participants statewide to help us find

additional ways to reduce water pollution and further promote water conservation,” UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center

Associate Director Kimberly Moore said “With the help of survey participants, who will remain anonymous, we will use this information to develop online training videos and continue to make improvements in water conservation messaging and programs for the public at the state and local levels ”

The 30-question survey gives par-

ticipants the opportunity to share where they stand on various water conservation issues, including their perception of their water bill, how often and when they irrigate their lawn, whether and what type of technology is incorporated into water usage and more

The survey will be available until June 1.

To take the survey, visit https://ufl qualtrics com/jfe/form/SV 0cVjFFz uZIJidh4

Sanibel

Golden creeper

SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION

Recipe of the Week: Manhattan Clam Chowder

By CHEF LORETTA PAGANINI

This is one of the favorite soups in the Paganini family The creamy silky texture is so delicate and delicious that one bowl is never enough I start by cutting in chunks of celery, carrots, potatoes and onions and adding them to crispy bacon. This gives the vegetables a great taste. I then sprinkle flour to thicken the soup and slowly incorporate the veggie stock and the chopped tomatoes and juice Let the soup simmer for 40 minutes and season with salt and pepper and a dash of Tabasco to taste Add your clams and serve it with fresh parsley, oyster crackers and a big salad for a delicious meal The best thing about this soup is if you have any leftovers, tomorrow it will be even better Serves eight to 12 (Chef tip: Drain and rinse can clams before using them )

4 ounces bacon, diced

1/4 teaspoon thyme, dried

1/2 teaspoon basil, dried

2 russet potatoes, peeled and diced 1/2-inch

1 cup onions, diced 1/2-inch

CROW Calendar

The Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife's Visitor Education Center, at 3883 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel, will present the following:

∫ Today, May 29

Program of the Week at 11 a m

The presentation will be “A Day In The Life At CROW ”

∫ Thursday, May 30

Program of the Week at 11 a m

The presentation will be “Invasives ”

∫ Friday, May 31

Program of the Week at 11 a m

The presentation will be “If You Care, Leave It There ”

∫ Monday, June 3

Program of the Week at 11 a m

The presentation will be “A Day In The Life At CROW.”

∫ Tuesday, June 4

Program of the Week at 11 a m

T h

Ecology ”

∫ Wednesday, June 5 Program of the Week at 11 a m

Change ”

Admission is $12 for ages 13 and older, $7 for ages 4-12 and free for ages 3 and under

In addition, CROW offers a Wildlife Walk Hospital Tour on Mondays through F

Limited to 12 people; participants must be age 10 or older The cost is $25 per person; advanced registration and payment is required To register, contact 239-4723644 ext 229 or reservations@crowclinic org

F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , v i s i t

http://www.crowclinic.org/ or call 239472-3644

Santiva Islanders Calendar

The Santiva Islanders will present the following:

Cardio & Strength

Mahnaz Bassir will host Cardio & Strength today, May 29, from 10 to 11 a m in the Parish Hall at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, at 2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel Bring water and a towel; no mat is required Light weights may be brought Cost is $5 per class and $60 per month for members or $10 per class and $120 per month for non-members

Breakfast Club

Breakfast Club will be held on May 30 from 8 to 9 a m at Jerry's Cafe, at 1700 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel Attendees will order and pay individually For more information, contact Dan Hopta at 978239-4612

Social Bridge

Social Bridge will be held on May 30 from noon to 2:30 p m in the library at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal

C h u r c h , a t 2 3 0 4 P e r i w i n k l e W a y , Sanibel Cost is $5 For more information, c o n t a c t B r y a n t K o r n a t bryantekorn@gmail com

Social Mahjong

Social Mahjong will be held on May 30 from noon to 2:30 p m in the music room at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, at 2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel Cost is $5 For more inform a t i o n , c

bfundy4648@gmail com

Coffee & Conversation

Coffee & Conversation will be held on May 31 from 9:30 to 11:30 a m in the library at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, at 2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel Volunteers will be available to answer questions, register new members, sign up for activities and more.

Cardio & Strength

Mahnaz Bassir will host Cardio & Strength on May 31 from 10 to 11 a m in the Parish Hall at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, at 2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel Bring water and a towel; no mat is required Light weights may be brought Cost is $5 per class and $60 per month for members or $10 per class and $120 per month for non-members.

Cardio & Strength

1 cup celery, diced 1/2-inch

1 cup carrots, diced 1/2-inch

1 tablespoon flour

1 1/2 cups canned clams, drained but juice reserved

2 cups vegetable stock

1 cup diced tomatoes

2 cups tomato juice

1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped Salt and pepper, to taste Tabasco sauce to taste Oyster crackers, as desired

In a heavy-bottomed soup pot, render bacon over medium heat Add potatoes, dried herbs, onions, celery and carrots and cook for five minutes

Sprinkle flour over mixture Stir and cook briefly to create roux Add stock, tomatoes and tomato juice to the pot. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook until potatoes and carrots are tender, about 30-45 minutes

Add clams and chopped parsley into soup and cook briefly Taste and adjust seasonings with clam juice, Tabasco, salt and pepper as desired Portion in serving bowls and serve immediately with oyster crackers

Island Worship

∫ Bat Yam Temple of the Islands

2050 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel (Sanibel Congregational United Church of Christ), https://www batyam org/, https://www facebook com/batyamsanibel/ Rabbi Sunny Schnitzer

Sabbath service on Friday at 7 p m and via Zoom For Zoom links, email batyamsanibel@gmail com

∫ Captiva Chapel by the Sea 11580 Chapin Lane, Captiva, 239-472-1646, https://www captivachapel com/, www facebook com/Captiva-Chapel-By-The-Sea

Rev. Dr. Doug Dortch

Services will return for season in November Videos of services from the past season can be found on the chapel's website and Facebook page

∫ Chavurat Shalom of Southwest Florida P O Box 722, Sanibel, www chavuratshalomofsouthwestflorida org

Shabbat service on Friday at 7:30 p m Torah Talk on Tuesday at 7:30 p m

There are also speakers, discussions and informal “schmoozes ” For Zoom links, email ChavuratShalom@gmail com

∫ Sanibel Community Church 1740 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 239-472-2684, https://sanibelchurch com/, https://www facebook com/sanibelchurch/ Pastor Jeramie Rinne

Sunday service at 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary. Services will be recorded and posted on the SCC's YouTube channel

∫ Sanibel Congregational United Church of Christ

2050 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 239-472-0497, https://www sanibelucc org/, https://www facebook com/sanibelucc/ Senior Minister Rev Dr Mark Boyea

Sunday service at 10 a m in Fellowship Hall

∫ Saint Isabel Catholic Church

3559 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel, 239-472-2763, https://www saintisabel org/, https://www facebook com/stisabelcatholicchurch/ Father Edward Martin

Friday Mass at 9 a m Saturday Vigil Mass at 5 p m Sunday Mass at 10 a m

∫ Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church 2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 239-472-2173, https://www saintmichaelssanibel org/, https://www facebook com/saintmichaelssanibel/ Rev William “Bill” Van Oss

Saturday service at 5 p m in the Sanctuary, with a social to follow Sunday service at 9:30 a m , with a coffee hour to follow; service is available via livestream and the link on the website

Mahnaz Bassir will host Cardio & Strength on June 3 from 10 to 11 a m in the Parish Hall at Saint Michael and All A n g e l s E p i s c

Periwinkle Way, Sanibel Bring water and a towel; no mat is required Light weights may be brought Cost is $5 per class and $60 per month for members or $10 per class and $120 per month for non-members

Happy Hour

Happy Hour will be held on June 3 from 4 to 6 p m at Tutti Pazzi Italian K i t c h e n , a t 1 2 0 0 P e r i w i n k l e W a y , Sanibel Enjoy happy hour drink and appetizer specials Attendees will order and pay individually

Cardio & Strength

Periwinkle Way, Sanibel Bring water and a towel; no mat is required Light weights may be brought Cost is $5 per class and $60 per month for members or $10 per class and $120 per month for non-members

The Santiva Islanders serve all adult islanders and visitors, regardless of age The cost is $25 for an annual membership The Island Seniors raise funding to help defray the cost of the program activities

For more information, visit https://santivaislanders org/ or contact santivaislanders@gmail com

Mahnaz Bassir will host Cardio & Strength on June 5 from 10 to 11 a m in the Parish Hall at Saint Michael and All

Loretta Paganini

Cheeburger Cheeburger, 1975 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel

Cielo, 1244 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel

MudBugs Cajun Kitchen, 1473 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel

islandBEAT islander

Tutti Pazzi Italian Kitchen, 1200 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel

Shell Find

Tulips, whelks found on Sanibel

Faye Hu-Hvatum, 9, and Ava Hu-Hvatum, 6, both of Sanibel, found banded tulips and lighting whelks on May 19 at about 7 p m at the Lighthouse Beach Park on Sanibel Ping Hu reported that her family has pretty much been to all of the beaches on the island, but it was her daughters' first time seeing so many beautiful and cool shells at the lighthouse beach She guessed that it was because it was low tide. “They are explorers, especially the little one who loves shelling and to be outdoors,” Hu added To report a shell find, contact 239-472-1587 or trepecki @breezenewspapers com

PHOTOS PROVIDED

The Mucky Duck, 11546 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva Traders, 1551 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel

The Shipyard at 'Tween Waters, 15951 Captiva Drive, Captiva

Butterfly garden

not only plant nectar providing plants to attract and feed adults but also plant larval host plants Since many species of plants produce toxins to ward off predators, many caterpillar species have adapted to only consuming certain plant species

Because of this, many butterfly species will only lay their eggs on specific native plants These native plants, known as host plants, provide food for caterpillars A well-known example of this is monarch butterflies and native milkweed

Make it a sunny location

Most butterfly species feed primarily in the sun except for the native zebra longwing butterfly, which prefers part sun to shade If possible, try to design your butterfly garden in a sunny spot, ideally in an area that receives full sun in the midmorning through mid-afternoon

Say no to insecticides

While garden pests can be frustrating, many beneficial insect species including butterflies and caterpillars are often unintentionally harmed when insecticides are applied

Common native hosts on Sanibel

∫ Blue porterweed (Stachytarpheta

From page 26

jamaicensis): Host for tropical buckeye

∫

(Passiflora suberosa): Host for julia, zebra long-wing and Gulf fritillary

∫ Coontie (Zamia integrifolia): Host for atala butterfly

∫ Matchweed (Phyla nodiflora): Host for white peacock, phaon crescent and common buckeye

∫ Sunshine mimosa (Mimosa strigillosa): Host for little sulphur butterfly

∫ Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata): Host for monarch, queen and soldier butterflies

∫ Wild petunia (Ruellia caroliniensis): Host for white peacock and common buckeye

∫ Bay cedar (Suriana maritima): Host for martial scrub-hairstreak

∫ Strangler fig (Ficus aurea): Host for ruddy daggerwing

∫ Wild lime (Zanthoxylum fagara): Host for giant swallowtail

“There are more native host plants on Sanibel and Captiva, this is just a condensed list of some of the common species found on the islands,” Carpenter said

For more information, visit the Florida Native Plant Society at https://www fnps

Wildlife Federation at https://www nwf

/Attracting-Butterflies

Al-Anon, Al-Ateen meetings

Are you concerned with a friend or family member's drinking? Let us help Call our 24-hour helpline at 941-564-5098 or visit www SouthFloridaAlAnon org Meetings are held every day in Lee County Al-Ateen meetings are also offered for ages 10-18

SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION

Zebra longwing caterpillars

Registration open for county summer camps

Lee County Parks & Recreation's Summer Camp registration is open for programs, outings and activities at traditional camps, middle school camps and specialty camps running from June 10 through Aug 2

Traditional camps are for children who have completed kindergarten through fifth grade Middle school camps are for youths in sixth through eighth grade The specialty and special needs camps ages vary

Parents will be able to register for camp at the Wa-Ke Hatchee Recreation Center The center was closed last summer and is currently closed for building renovations from Hurricane Ian damages It is set to reopen before camp begins

Camp sites will participate in countywide initiatives,

Alliance for the Arts taking summer camp sign-ups

The Alliance for the Arts in Fort Myers will host its Summer Arts Camp from June 10 through Aug 2

Registration is open for the one-week sessions Full camps are available for ages 7-11 and half-day “Mini Explorers” camps are available for ages 4-6 The Musical Theater Intensive Camp is available for ages 7 and up and will be held at the Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre in Fort Myers.

The full day camps are themed: learn about famous artists, discover evidence of prehistoric dinosaurs or deep dive into the creatures that live in the ocean all by exploring the arts with projects There is also an option to add a digital arts class The weekly cost is $275 for members and $325 for non-members; the Digital Arts add on is $40 for members and $50 for non-members

The half-day camps offer the opportunity to engage in themed days that are filled with art, games, music and a dress up day The weekly cost is $135 for members and $175 for non-members

The Musical Theatre Intensive Camp focuses on highquality training Campers will have the chance to work with professional actors from the Broadway Palm's production of “Mary Poppins ” Each week will culminate in a performance on the theater's stage The weekly cost is $215 for members and $260 for non-members

For more information or to register, visit artinlee org

The Alliance for the Arts is at 10091 McGregor Blvd , Fort Myers

such as service-learning projects, fitness and wellness programs ,and National Park and Recreation Month

Helpful tips from the registration desk: ∫ To register for camp at one of the three large recre-

ation centers Estero, North Fort Myers or Veterans Park in Lehigh Acres obtain a membership first by visiting the location

∫ If you have a facility membership, make sure it is active by calling or visiting the location

∫ The Wa-Ke Hatchee Recreation Center will not require a membership at registration Memberships will be collected at the start of the program

∫ A household account at www.webtrac.leegov.com is needed to register online

The cost for traditional and middle school camps is $75 per week per child The specialty camps vary

For more information, visit www leeparks org or contact 239-533-7275 or leeparks@leegov com

Edison, Ford estates hosting summer camps

The Edison and Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers is offering summer camps for grades K-5

The camps are educational and focus on science, technology, engineering, and art and math (STEAM), while incorporating fun activities. Campers get to invent, design, build and learn in the same location where inventors Thomas Edison and Henry Ford invented some of the world's best-known products

As of last week, openings for grades 3-5 were still available in following camps:

∫ July 1-3: Space and Rockets from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The camp is part space science and

part rocket science Campers will learn about their place in the universe as they design and launch a waterpowered rocket Cost is $135 for members and $150 for non-members

∫ July 22-26: Mechanical Marvels from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Campers will learn about simple machines, mechanical advantages and gear systems in the fast-moving camp Cost is $225 for members and $250 for non-members

For more information or to register, visit edisonford org

The Edison and Ford Winter Estates is at 2350 McGregor Blvd , Fort Myers

The Community House Calendar

The Community House, at 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, will present the following:

Shellcrafters

The Shellcrafters will meet on June 3 from 10 a m to 1 p m in the lobby A shell crafting class will take place at 10 a m ; it is free and supplies range from $510 Items will be available for sale All sales benefit the operations of TCH

Shell Critter Kits are available for purchase in a variety of different options. Cost is $5 per kit with all of the supplies included, except for glue Order them in-person at TCH or call 239-472-2155

TCH office hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a m to 1 p m

For more information, visit www sanibelcommu-

office@sanibelcommunityhouse net

PHOTO PROVIDED Summer camp students perform a chemistry experiment at Edison and Ford Winter Estates

to save and break your line, Nine decades of free fall play, Yet now's still not the time To pay any dues, Nonet, not yet, No net For now, None

Sanibel-Captiva Rotary Club member Chet Sadler, winners Kate Branin, Jhana Hoang and Anna Kolobova and The

President Joshua Schwartz with their family, Principal Jennifer Lusk and Interact Club advisor Edna Dykhuizen

Rotar y names student contest winners

The Sanibel-Captiva Rotary Club announced the winners of its Annual Four-Way Test Essay Contest, which is open to eighth-graders at The Sanibel School First place went to Anna Kolobova, Kate Branin won second place and third place went to Jhana Hoang The test asks:

Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned? The contest asks applicants to write an essay describing how the test can be applied to life challenges or decisions faced by them or others their age The

winners read their essays at a recent club meeting, where club members also received an update from school Interact Club President Joshua Schwartz The winning essays will be entered into the Rotary District 6960 competition

F.I.S.H. moves tool borrowing program off-island

F I S H of Sanibel-Captiva reported that its Tool Shed Program has come to its completion and has been relocated to an offisland site in preparation for the upcoming hurricane season

Launched last year in partnership with the Sanibel-Captiva Rotary Club, it allowed islanders to temporarily borrow tools for free that they needed to help clean up their homes and properties after Hurricane Ian The tools included electric drills, hammers, tool sets, shovels, mops, utility buckets,

wheelbarrows, hoses, leaf blowers, chainsaws, saws, crowbars and more

“This program was a great way to show the island community that F I S H and Rotary are here to help,” Disaster Administrative Director Manuela Martinez said “It’s always important to let folks know that we care about their needs during critical times ”

She noted that the program was well received by the community

“We can’t thank the Rotary Club of

Sanibel Captiva and Rotary District 6960 enough for their assistance in helping our neighbors,” Martinez said Anyone still in need of tools can contact her at 239-472-4775 or manuela@fishofsancap.org.

“We realize there might still be a need for neighbors to borrow tools and may be able to assist,” Martinez said “Please give us a call, and we’ll help in any way we can ”

For more information, visit www fishofsancap org

SANIBEL-CAPTIVA ROTARY CLUB

Sanibel School Interact Club

OF THE ISLANDS

From left, seated, Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife Executive Director Alison Charney Hussey, winner Kim Radloff and CROW Public Relations & Marketing Manager Ali Reece; standing, Vice President Richard Shera, concierge Kelsey Hamilton and Vice President David Lowden, with Bank of the Islands.

Decal program results in donation

Bank of the Islands recently made a donation through its We Love Our Islands program. Winner Kim Radloff was spotted with the program's decal on her vehicle, winning her the chance to decide which local non-profit would receive a charitable contribution She chose to split the $600 donation between the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife and F I S H of Sanibel-Captiva. The bank has donated $140,200 to date through the program All islanders are invited to visit the bank’s branches to pick up a decal and learn more about the We Love Our Islands program

From left, seated, F I S H of SanibelCaptiva President and Chief Executive Officer Maggi Feiner, winner Kim Radloff and F I S H Disaster Administrative Director Manuela Martinez; standing, Vice President Richard Shera, concierge Kelsey Hamilton and Vice President David Lowden, with Bank of the Islands

BANK

Islanders to take part in Tunnel to Towers Tower Climb

On June 2, Sanibel City Councilmember and SanibelCaptiva Rotary Club member John Henshaw and The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company President and SanibelCaptiva Kiwanis Club member Jeff Muddell will climb over 2,200 stairs at the One World Trade Center in New York to raise funds for the Tunnels to Tower Foundation

Since 2015, the foundation has held the annual Tunnel to Towers Tower Climb in New York City One thousand participants climb 104 stories, symbolizing strength, hope and the resiliency of the American spirit The event celebrates the life and sacrifice of all 9/11 heroes, including FDNY firefighter Stephen Siller and FDNY Capt. Billy Burke.

As head of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) from 2001-04 under former President George W Bush, Henshaw helped oversee the government response to the Sept 11 terrorist attacks He reported that OSHA played a critical role in monitoring disaster rescue workers' exposures to dangerous toxins while toiling among the World Trade Center building debris

“Through my time working at Ground Zero, I met and worked with many first responders who survived that day and continued working with them through the search and recovery, and cleanup and recovery efforts,” Henshaw

From left, Sanibel City Councilmember and

Kiwanis Club member Jeff Muddell will take part in the annual Tunnel to Towers Tower Climb on June 2 in New York

said. “I have a great deal of respect for them and all those responding to this attack on our country

“It's an honor to participate in this event and support the Tunnel to Towers Foundation's mission of providing mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families and eradicating veteran homelessness,” he added

Muddell is a native of Clifton, New Jersey 13 miles west of the World Trade Center He reported that while he was already living in Florida when 9/11 occurred, he vividly recalls the 1993 bombing on the World Trade Center, and he knows many friends and families affected by the Sept. 11 attack.

“Even in the suburbs, it seems everyone knows someone who was lost in 9/11,” Muddell said “So, this Tunnel to Towers event will be special, and it will be great to support John, who played a crucial role in all the work that happened in lower Manhattan after 9/11 ”

All funds raised will go directly to the foundation

To donate and support the fundraising efforts of H

https://runsignup com/TeamSanibelJohn and https://runsignup com/TeamSanibelJeff

For more information about the foundation, visit www.T2T.org.

Alliance, Broadway Palm to host performing arts festival

t s a n d

Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre will present Fringe Fort Myers 2024 on May 30 through June 2, featuring a variety of performances, from one-person shows, to dance and music, to stand-up comedy and more

The performing arts fest is the newest member of the Canadian Association of Fringe Festivals and the first to come to

Southwest Florida It follows the longstanding Fringe traditions of being 100% independent, 100% inclusive and 100% unique, with 100% of ticket sales going directly to the artists

Fringe Fort Myers 2024 will kick off on May 30 at 5 p m with a “Flamingle with the Artists” reception in the Alliance Gallery, giving attendees a chance to meet the artists, followed by the preview show at 6:30 p.m. At the preview, each performer has three minutes to sell the audience on why they should see their show

∫ “The Carousel of Burlesque: Behind the Curtain

∫ “The Chase: A Light Bringer Story

“They can perform a scene from their show, talk about the show or just burp for three minutes,” Alliance for the Arts

Producing Artistic Director Bill Taylor said “Whatever they think will get you to buy a ticket ”

Following the preview show, there will be one performance in each venue

Fringe Fort Myers 2024 will continue through June 2. Nine acts have been selected, running the gamut from burlesque, to magic, to stand-up comedy and more The selected performances will include:

∫ “Cock Talk

∫ “LOVE LETTERS TO HUMANITY

∫ “Runaway Princess: A Hopeful Tale of Heroin, Hooking and Happiness

∫ “Stabilized Not Controlled

∫ “The Other Side

∫ “Tomatoes Tried To Kill Me But Banjos Saved My Life

∫ “TransMasculine Cabaret, Starring Vulva Va-Voom

All of the shows are $16, and attendees can buy multiple show tickets for a discount

In addition to the performances, there will be a Kids Fringe Fest on June 1 that will include:

∫ Mad Libs Live!

∫

(abridged)

For more information or tickets, visit artinlee org/fringe or call the box office at 239-939-2787

Alliance for the Arts is at 10091 McGregor Blvd , Fort Myers

PHOTO PROVIDED