Category: Island Update

The operator of the Island Store on Captiva, Bailey’s General Store on Sanibel is going to host The Calling Wine Tasting on July 21 at 6 p.m. at the Captiva Civic Center, at 11550 Chaplin Lane, Captiva.

Guest speakers South Florida Sales Manager Pablo Pelaez and District Manager Eric Narvaez, both with the Brittany Sales Company, will join Bailey’s wine steward Calli Johnson to present The Calling lineup. The featured wines are: 2019 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, 2019 Dutton Ranch Chardonnay, 2016 Sullivan Vineyard Chardonnay, 2019 Russian River Pinot Noir, 2019 Fox Den Vineyard Pinot Noir, 2018 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2018 “Our Tribute” Cabernet Sauvignon.

They will be paired with hors d’oeuvres by Chef Karl Hamme, with the Sanibel Catering Company.

James MacPhail pursued his dream to become a winemaker in the mid-1990s, mentored by some of Sonoma Country’s most respected winemakers and growers. Through the experience, MacPhail honed his craft focusing on pinot noir and chardonnay sourced from the Sonoma Coast and Anderson Valley.

Cost is $49.99 per person and space is limited.

Registration is required before July 14.

For more information or to make a reservation, visit https://www.baileys-sanibel.com/.

Early preliminary property tax valuations for Sanibel and Captiva have increased over 2021.

The Lee County Property Appraiser’s Office released its estimated tax roll values on June 1, which indicate a 12.13 percent increase for the city of Sanibel and a 15.93 percent increase for Captiva as part of unincorporated Lee County. Early estimated valuations for the fire districts on the islands also rose.

The official numbers will come out by July 1, then be sent to Tallahassee for state approval.

According to estimates, Sanibel’s taxable value rose approximately $680.78 million — the 12.13 percent — to about $6.29 billion. Assessed value increased 11.66 percent to about $6.63 billion, up $692.04 million from 2021. Just value rose 32.39 percent to about $8.57 billion, up $2.10 billion.

Also for Sanibel, taxable new construction increased from approximately $12.38 million to $23.07 million, while total just new construction climbed from about $15.70 million to $23.70 million.

County estimates, which include Captiva, show an approximate $15.29 billion rise in taxable value — the 15.93 percent — to about $111.29 billion. Assessed value increased 14.48 percent to about $130.24 billion, up $16.48 billion. Just value jumped 30.25 percent to about $173.27 billion, up $40.25 billion.

Also for the county, taxable new construction rose from approximately $2.16 billion to $3.29 billion, while total just new construction increased from about $2.29 billion to $3.58 billion. As for the county’s taxable school value, it jumped approximately $23.77 billion to $128.38 billion — up 22.72 percent.

In addition, early estimates for the Sanibel Fire and Rescue District and Captiva Island Fire Control District, plus Upper Captiva Fire District, have increased year-over-year, according to the information.

The Sanibel district rose 11.87 percent to approximately $6.42 billion, up about $680.77 million. The Captiva district saw a 11.87 percent growth to about $1.72 billion — a $182.79 million difference.

Upper Captiva experienced a 20.04 percent rise to about $288.49 million, up $48.17 million.

New air service at Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW)
Breeze Airways: nonstop to Las Vegas (LAS) and Charleston, South Carolina (CHS), twice weekly, beginning June 11.
Eurowings Discover: Frankfurt, Germany (FRA), weekly, year-round service
Alaska Airlines: Seattle (SEA) weekly, year-round service.

On July 4, starting at noon, the 42nd annual Road Rally begins outside Timbers Restaurant & Fish Market on Sanibel. This year’s proceeds will be donated to Community Housing and Resources. The event has been managed by the Sanibel Captiva Optimist Club until this year, when it was transferred to a new organization called The Friends of Randy of Sanibel.

Interested participants are encouraged to sign up early; registration will be limited to 50 vehicles.

In addition, past and potential new sponsors are invited to pitch in with donations. The registration form for participants is available at the Sanibel Cafe and Bailey’s General Store. For early or preferred start time, contact Randy at 239-699-8739 or rcarsonsan@gmail.com. For more information or to donate, call Randy, Tim at 941-626-2943, or Allen at 239-699-9474.

The Ocean Tribe Paddling Club will host a Coastal Kayaking Basic Rescue Skills course on May 5 from 1 to 3 p.m.; meet on the Causeway Island A — closest to the toll booth — at 12:45 p.m.

The course is for paddlers who want to learn basic fundamentals of rescuing their selves and others while kayaking. When paddling, one never knows the dangers that could be in the waters ahead. Learn how to get back in a kayak and help someone else if necessary.

Participants can bring their own vessel. Club members can reserve a loaner vessel in advance by contacting OTP@sccf.org. For more membership information, visit https://oceantribeoutfitters.org/.

To attend, RSVP at https://oceantribeoutfitters.org/eventsandregistration.