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Island Update

Tween Waters 2023 Tree Lighting Celebration: A Festive Start to the Holiday Season

On Friday, November 24, 2023, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa will host its annual Tree Lighting Celebration. This free, family-friendly event is the perfect way to kick off the holiday season on Captiva Island.

More than 200,000 holiday lights will twinkle in musical synchronicity, and a majestic 30-foot Christmas tree will light up the threshold to the Gulf of Mexico. Live holiday music will fill the air, and a spectacular fireworks show will light up the beach. Even real snow will fall from the palm trees!

Grandparents, parents, children, and grandkids alike will enjoy all the festive fun. The Official Beach Resort of Captiva Island and its parent corporation, Sanibel Captiva Beach Resorts, are extending a hearty and heartfelt thank you to all of their guests from around the world, and this event is their way of showing their appreciation.

The tree lighting ceremony will take place on Friday, November 24, 2023, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Admission is free and open to the public.

Parking and Dockage

  • Due to traffic, safety and limited capacity, on-property parking is available ONLY for pre-purchased Day Pass, VIP Luxury Boxes, VIP Crow’s Nest Skybox and weekend accommodations guests.
  • Off-site complimentary parking and shuttle service will be available at nearby locations to be announced.
  • Note to boaters: All dockage at ‘Tween Waters Marina is sold out for the event.

We hope to see you there!

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Island Update

Bleu Provence, McCabe Building on Fifth Not Sold to Hoffmann

Bleu Provence, a popular French restaurant in Old Naples, and the McCabe family’s retail portion of The Residences at 5th and 5th are not part of the Hoffmann Family of Companies portfolio or its recent historic real estate sale.

In June, Hoffmann founder David Hoffmann said his company was expected to close in late July or early August on the Bleu Provence restaurant and that part of the longtime local restaurant’s retail wine shop would be converted into a private club. However, the restaurant sale did not close as planned, according to Jacques Cariot, who co-founded Bleu Provence with his wife, Lysielle, in 1999. The Cariots and their two sons will continue to operate the award-winning restaurant.

No reason for the failed sale has been given.

Bleu Provence

The Residences at 5th and 5th is a mixed-use development with luxury condominiums, retail space, and restaurants. The Hoffmann Family of Companies purchased the majority of the development in July 2023.

The McCabe family’s retail portion of The Residences at 5th and 5th is not part of the Hoffmann Family of Companies portfolio. The McCabe family will continue to operate their retail business in the development.

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Island Update

Captiva Cruises Celebrates Return of Lady Chadwick After Hurricane Ian Repairs

Captiva Cruises is celebrating the return of its flagship boat, the Lady Chadwick, after Hurricane Ian repairs. The 65-foot boat was relaunched into service on October 10, 2023, after undergoing extensive repairs at Gulf Marine Yacht Works on Fort Myers Beach.

The Lady Chadwick was in dry dock for its biannual Coast Guard inspection when Hurricane Ian struck. The storm surge lifted the boat off its pilings and carried it about 450 feet away. The boat was eventually tangled up in a bunch of other boats and became lodged under a building.

Lady Chadwick cruise ship being repaired

Despite the damage, the Lady Chadwick was able to be repaired and returned to service. The boat’s hull was patched up, the propeller shafts were replaced, and the interior was gutted and rebuilt.

The Lady Chadwick is now back in action, offering cruises to Cabbage Key, Useppa Island, and other popular destinations in Southwest Florida. The boat is also available for private charters.

Captiva Cruises owner Bob Rando is excited to have the Lady Chadwick back in service.

“The Lady Chadwick is a beloved member of our community, and we’re so glad to have her back on the water,” Rando said. “We’re looking forward to providing our guests with the same high-quality cruises that they’ve come to expect from Captiva Cruises.”

The return of the Lady Chadwick is a welcome sign of recovery for Southwest Florida after Hurricane Ian. The storm caused widespread damage to the region, but businesses and residents are working hard to rebuild.

Captiva Cruises is a family-owned and operated business that has been serving Southwest Florida for over 25 years. The company offers a variety of cruises, including dolphin watching cruises, sunset cruises, and dinner cruises. Captiva Cruises also offers a variety of private charter options.

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Island Update

Sanibel-Captiva Shell Club’s T-shirt Design Contest for the 2024 Sanibel Shell Show!

The Sanibel-Captiva Shell Club is thrilled to announce its T-shirt Design Contest in anticipation of the upcoming annual Sanibel Shell Show, scheduled for March 8-9, hosted at the elegant Marriott Sanibel Harbour Resort in Fort Myers.

To be considered, designs must adhere to the following criteria:

  • Incorporate the phrases “Sanibel Shell Show” and “2024”
  • Display original artwork
  • Utilize a palette of three to five colors
  • The chosen artwork will need to be print-ready, meeting the standard of “camera ready.”
  • In recognition of their creativity, the winner will be awarded a $100 stipend along with a complimentary T-shirt showcasing their winning design.

Don’t miss the opportunity to showcase your artistic talent! The deadline for entries is set for October 30. Submit your designs to t-shirts@sanibelshellclub.com.

For additional details and contest rules, please visit https://sanibelshellclub.com.

Get inspired and be a part of this exciting event!

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Island Update

Sanibel Gallery to Host Annual Sale

The Tower Gallery on Sanibel Island is hosting its 17th Annual Art From The Attic Sale on Oct. 20-22, 2023, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This once-a-year event gives visitors the opportunity to purchase artwork from Tower Gallery’s member artists at discounted prices. The sale will feature a variety of mediums, including paintings, photography, ceramics, jewelry, and more.

The Art From The Attic Sale is also a great chance to meet the artists and learn about their work. Many of the artists will be on hand to answer questions and discuss their pieces.

The Tower Gallery is located at 751 Tarpon Bay Road on Sanibel Island. For more information, call 239-579-0659 or visit www.towergallery.net 

Click here for more information

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Island Update

Tickets available for SCCF’s Wines in the Wild

The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation reported that the 14th annual Wines in the Wild is sold out. Names are being taken for a waitlist. To be added to the waitlist, visit sccf.org/wines-in-the-wild.

The event be held from 6:30-9 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 17 at the SCCF’s Bailey Homestead Preserve on Sanibel.

Wine in the Wild

Wines in the Wild is a unique and popular event that offers guests the opportunity to sample a variety of wines from around the world, paired with signature tastings from favorite local chefs, all while enjoying a beautiful evening setting amidst revitalized native plantings at the Bailey Homestead Preserve.

In addition to wine and food, Wines in the Wild will also feature live music, a silent auction, and other fun activities. All proceeds from the event support SCCF’s mission to conserve the natural resources of Sanibel and Captiva Islands.

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Island Update

New schedule for refuge’s Wildlife Drive

The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge reported that the current gate times on Wildlife Drive are 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday through Thursday (closed Friday). As they did pre-hurricane, hours will now change to accommodate daylight hours and savings time. The admission for Wildlife Drive is $10 for vehicles and $1 for hikers and bikers. The refuge is at 1 Wildlife Drive, Sanibel.

JN Ding Darling Hours

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Island Update

Sanibel and Captiva Receive Recovery Funding and Cybersecurity Grant

On September 28, 2023, Governor Ron DeSantis awarded $338 million from the Hurricane Recovery Program to communities impacted by Hurricane Ian to support long-term recovery efforts and resiliency. Sanibel and Captiva were among the communities to receive funding, with the following allocations:

  • City of Sanibel: $28 million
  • Sanibel Fire Rescue District: $8 million
  • Captiva Erosion Prevention District: $1 million
  • Captiva Fire District: $350,000

The funds will be used to assist with storm repairs and recovery efforts for schools, sheriff’s offices, fire stations, parks and recreation centers, roads, wastewater treatment plants, beach renourishment, and to assist local governments with loss of revenue since the storm.

In addition to the recovery funding, Sanibel also received a Cybersecurity Grant Award from the state’s Local Government Cybersecurity Grant Program. The $30 million program, funded by 2022-23 budget appropriations, equipped 194 local governments with solutions that enhance their cybersecurity capabilities and integrate with state cybersecurity operations.

The Cybersecurity Grant Award will help Sanibel to improve its cybersecurity defenses and protect its residents and businesses from cyberattacks.

The recovery funding and cybersecurity grant are both welcome news for Sanibel and Captiva as they continue to recover from Hurricane Ian. The funds will help to rebuild the islands’ infrastructure, support local businesses, and make the communities more resilient to future storms.

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Island Update Real Estate News SWFL Update

Hurricane Ian awards announced

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis awarded $338 million in state funding to communities impacted by Hurricane Ian to support long-term recovery efforts and resiliency.

These funds will be used to assist with ongoing hurricane repairs and recovery efforts for schools, sheriff’s offices, fire stations, parks and recreation centers, roads, wastewater treatment plants, beach renourishment, and will assist local governments with loss of revenue since the storm.

“My administration made a promise to cut through bureaucratic red tape and fill in gaps where federal funding ends for communities impacted by Hurricane Ian,” said DeSantis. “This $338 million in funding is going to make a difference as these communities are rebuilding.”

Funding highlights include:

  • $1 million to Captiva Erosion Prevention District
  • $350,000 to Captiva Fire Control District
  • $14 million to Fort Myers Beach Fire Control District
  • $600,000 to the City of Fort Myers
  • $4.3 million to Lee Memorial Health Systems
  • $51 million to Lee County School Board
  • $8 million to Sanibel Fire and Rescue District
  • $28 million to the City of Sanibel
  • $51 million to the City of Cape Coral

The Hurricane Recovery Program was established to assist with gaps in hurricane repairs and recovery efforts to schools, sheriff’s offices, fire stations, parks and recreation centers, roads, wastewater treatment plants, beach renourishment, and much more. For updates and information on disaster recovery resources, go to FloridaDiaster.org.

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Island Update

San Cap Motor Club to Hold Monthly Event

The San Cap Motor Club will hold its monthly event on October 8th from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Periwinkle Place Shops. There is no pre-registration required and the event is open to the public.

This is a great opportunity to see a variety of classic and antique cars, as well as meet other car enthusiasts. The event is also a great way to support the San Cap Motor Club, a local organization that promotes the hobby of car collecting and restoration.

For more information, contact Scot Congress at 239-472-4177 or scot@scongress.com.