Category: Island Update

Get ready to usher in the holidays at the ‘Tween Waters Inn & Marina’s annual Tree Lighting Celebration on November 28th, from 5 to 10 p.m.!

Celebrating its 30th year, this beloved tradition is free and open to the community, offering a spectacular night of festivities:

• Tree Lighting: Witness the towering, decked-out tree light up at sunset.

• Fireworks: Enjoy a huge fireworks display shot from a barge over the Gulf.

• Entertainment: Experience over 200,000 synchronized lights, live music, laser lights, and “falling snow.”

• Santa Visit: Meet Santa for photos and to share Christmas lists!

General Admission is FREE. Complimentary parking and shuttle service will be available from the Castaways property at Blind Pass.

A portion of proceeds from the sale of light sabers will benefit the United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades.

Don’t miss this “absolutely amazing” community event!

For more details and VIP ticket information, visit https://tween-waters.com/tree-lighting-celebration/.

A beloved island holiday tradition is back! The Friends of Randy of Sanibel (FOROS) is proud to take over the annual Christmas Tree Sales, formerly run by the Sanibel-Captiva Lions Club.

Starting November 29th at Jerry’s Foods on Sanibel, FOROS will be selling premium, freshly cut Fraser Firs, shipped directly from Michigan.

• When: Saturday through Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Where: Jerry’s Foods (1700 Periwinkle Way)

They have 100 trees in stock, ranging from 5 to 10 feet! Trees typically sell out fast, so come early to secure yours. Preorders are highly recommended, especially for the larger sizes.

This event is a fundraiser to benefit local charities, and proceeds this year will support the Sanibel Sea School, coinciding with their annual Road Rally donation.

To preorder your tree or for more information, contact Randy Carson at 239-699-8739 or rcarsonsan@gmail.com. Help us carry on this wonderful community tradition and support a great cause!

Join the Captiva Island Historical Society (CIHS) for “Anne Morrow and More,” a special program celebrating the 70th anniversary of Anne Morrow Lindbergh’s inspirational book, Gift from the Sea, which was inspired by her time on Captiva.

• When: December 3rd at 6:30 p.m.

• Where: Captiva Civic Center

This premier event will feature a unique script blending poignant passages from the book with archival details about life on Captiva and worldwide events in the early 1950s. Captiva resident Lisa Riordan will portray Anne Morrow Lindbergh, accompanied by historical videos.

Come enjoy appetizers and a cash bar. MacIntosh Books + Paper will have copies of Gift from the Sea available for purchase.

This is a wonderful opportunity to embrace local history and hear inside stories about life on the island during that time.

Tickets are $15 per person, and reservations are requested!

Reserve your seat now: http://www.captivaislandhistoricalsociety.org/

Great news for our shoreline! The Captiva Erosion Prevention District (CEPD) commission recently approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the City of Sanibel to advance beach restoration efforts.

The agreement allows Sanibel to “piggyback” off the CEPD’s existing contract with Great Lakes Dredge & Dock for the North Sanibel Beach Renourishment Project. This will enable the city to place approximately 300,000 cubic yards of sand along the northern stretch, from near the former Mad Hatter to Bowman’s Beach Park.

In exchange for utilizing the contract, the City of Sanibel will pay the CEPD $168,602.07 for costs and expenses.

This unanimous decision ensures both Captiva’s and Sanibel’s vital beach projects can move ahead efficiently. Additionally, the commission directed staff to immediately proceed with a temporary “phase I” trial for clearing dune walkways.

This cooperation is essential for protecting and restoring our beautiful beaches!

Player registration is now open for a fun tournament benefiting The Community House (TCH) and the Sanibel Community Association (SCA)!

The 1st Annual SCA Tennis Tournament, hosted in partnership with Beachview Tennis Club, will take place on December 6th and 7th at the club on Sanibel.

• December 6th: Men’s and Women’s Doubles

• December 7th: Mixed Doubles

All matches are open to levels 3.0, 3.5, and 4.0, with trophies awarded to the top placers.

Entry fees are $100 for one day or $150 for both days, which includes breakfast, lunch, refreshments, and a T-shirt. Proceeds directly support programs and activities at TCH and SCA.

Players must register by December 3rd!

To register or learn more, contact Toni Halski at 239-472-9099.

Sponsorships and auction donations are still welcomed! Contact Emily Ankerson at 239-472-2155 or emily@sanibelcommunityhouse.net for more information. Come out and support TCH and SCA!

The Blue Star Mothers Gulf Coast Florida Chapter 12 (Lee & Collier counties), a nonprofit of military families, is seeking public support to ensure every veteran grave receives a wreath this Wreaths Across America Day on December 13th.

“Every one of those veterans deserves a wreath,” says Chapter President Tammi Young. They were 3,600 wreaths short last year in Lee County alone and are heartbroken to walk away knowing some veterans were forgotten.

Their goal is to honor all approximately 8,000 local veterans at cemeteries like Coral Ridge, Memorial Gardens, and the Fort Myers Cemetery. When they place a wreath, they say the veteran’s name aloud to truly honor their service.

Sponsor a wreath for just $17! Not only does this honor a veteran, but $5 from each purchase helps support local veterans and active military members here in our community.

The deadline to purchase a wreath is December 1st! Help us make sure no veteran is left behind.

Purchase a wreath or get more information here: www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/FL0654P

The holiday season is officially arriving in Sanibel! The community is invited to gather at Community Park this Saturday, November 29th at 5:30 PM for the lighting of the Sanibel Tree. A celebration will follow immediately after the lighting at the Community House.

Facility Hours & Holiday Closures Please be advised that the Sanibel Recreation Center will be CLOSED on Thursday, November 27th, and Friday, November 28th, in observance of the holiday. The facility will reopen on Saturday, November 29th at 8:00 AM.

Parking Permit Renewal Residents and non-residents are reminded that current 2025 A and B Beach Parking Permits will EXPIRE on Sunday, November 30th. Those needing to renew are encouraged to visit the Sanibel Recreation Center to purchase 2026 permits.

December Registration Open Registration is now open for a variety of December events and enrichments. Offerings include Ageless Stretch and Stability with Ginger, Holiday Fun Days, Weight Room 101, Cookie Decorating, and much more. There is always something to do for members and their visitors during the Holiday Season at the Sanibel Recreation Center!

After nearly three years of rebuilding following Hurricane Ian, the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium has officially completed the final phase of its restoration. The museum has opened its extensive new permanent exhibit, the Great Hall of Shells, marking a major milestone in its recovery.

A Complete Transformation The newly renovated gallery represents a complete re-curation and redesign of the original space. Spanning over 3,500 square feet, the Great Hall now features approximately three times as many shells as were on display prior to the 2022 storm.

Designed by New York City-based firm Matter Practice, the exhibit presents shells in a contemporary, jewelry-like setting, engineered to make specimens appear as if they are floating. “This space is intended to awe, to educate and to inspire,” said Executive Director Sam Ankerson.

Exhibit Highlights Curated by Science Director Dr. José H. Leal, the new displays cover a vast range of topics, from biological marvels to cultural history.

• Specimen Spotlights: The hall features dozens of exhibits including Southwest Florida shells, “world record” shells (the largest known specimens), and micromollusks (the smallest).

• Cultural Connection: Expanded sections explore how shells have influenced human history, touching on art, architecture, currency, fashion, spirituality, and medicine.

• Conservation Focus: New educational displays address environmental dynamics such as climate change, water quality, and habitat loss, while highlighting success stories like oyster habitat restoration.

Plan Your Visit In addition to the new Great Hall, visitors can explore the Living Gallery of Aquariums, which houses octopuses, seahorses, and other marine life.

• Hours: Open daily, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

• Location: 3075 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel

• Website: ShellMuseum.org

Admission Rates:

• Adults: $25

• Seniors/Veterans/Educators/First Responders: $20

• Students/Youth (12-17): $15

• Children (5-11): $5

• Under 5/Members/Active Military: Free

The Captiva Island Fire Control District (CIFCD) has officially moved forward with plans to secure land for public safety improvements. At a meeting on November 11, the commission voted unanimously to schedule a special election for February 10. The goal is to seek voter approval for a bond referendum aimed at purchasing and improving a portion of the historic Rauschenberg property.

The Referendum Details The resolution calls for a ballot question asking the electorate to authorize general obligation bonds not to exceed $24 million. These funds would be secured by the district’s ad valorem taxing power and designated specifically for the acquisition of real property and subsequent capital improvements.

While the district’s offer to the Rauschenberg Foundation was approximately $22 million, the bond cap was set at $24 million to provide a financial cushion for necessary site improvements. Officials emphasized that this figure is a ceiling (“up to”), not a mandatory spending amount.

Status of the Land Deal Commissioner Jeff Brown and Fire Chief Jeff Pawul provided a status update prior to the vote. The district has submitted a letter of intent to acquire approximately 9.81 acres of the 22-acre bayside property.

Currently, the situation remains “in limbo” as the Foundation has not yet accepted or rejected the offer. However, the district is exploring multiple avenues:

• Direct Purchase: Buying the parcels directly from the Foundation.

• Partnership: Coordinating with other potential private buyers. Brown noted that two potential buyers competing for the full property have expressed interest in selling the specific acres the Fire District needs if they win the bid.

Timeline and “Off-Ramp” The district faced an immediate deadline to submit the ballot language to the Lee County Elections Office. However, they have a 45-day window to remove the referendum from the ballot if the land deal does not materialize. Chief Pawul expressed confidence that they will have clarity on the Foundation’s decision within that timeframe.

Other District Updates Beyond the land acquisition, the commission addressed several operational items:

• South Seas Ladder Truck: The commission previously approved an agreement regarding funding for a new ladder truck with South Seas. However, Chief Pawul reported that the district has not yet received a response from resort executives or attorneys. It was noted that the funding agreement is triggered when a permit is pulled, which may explain the delay.

• Equipment Upgrades: The board authorized the purchase of two Zoll automated external defibrillators (AEDs). Additionally, the district has applied for a grant from the West Coast Inland Navigation District (WCIND) to replace electronics and the pump on the fire boat.

• Monthly Statistics: In October, the district responded to 31 incidents and conducted 16 fire inspections.

The Captiva Erosion Prevention District (CEPD) commission recently convened to discuss the final stages of the current beach renourishment project, address resident concerns regarding dune elevations, and negotiate a partnership proposal with the City of Sanibel.

Project Timeline and Parking Status General Manager Brighton Heard provided a timeline update for the ongoing beach renourishment. The project is nearing the finish line, with an anticipated completion window between Nov. 20 and Nov. 23.

Regarding beach access, the Turner Beach parking lot has reopened to the public. However, the Alison Hagerup Beach parking lot is being used for the project and will remain closed until all work is finalized.

Resident Petition Regarding Dune Height A significant portion of the meeting focused on a petition submitted by approximately 20 residents expressing concern over the height of the new dunes. The petition questions why the southern section of the dune system was constructed to a height of 12 feet, while the northern section near South Seas stands at 10 feet.

Residents cited several negative impacts, including:

• Obstructed views of the Gulf of Mexico.

• Changes to community character and aesthetics.

• Potential issues with stormwater runoff and sand overwash.

The petitioners requested that the board engage independent experts to review whether a uniform 10-foot dune would offer adequate storm protection and asked for a resolution to lower the 12-foot sections. Following discussion, the commission directed coastal engineers from APTIM to prepare a detailed explanation of the height determinations for the public. Staff will also schedule a workshop to discuss signage for protecting the new dune plantings.

North Sanibel Beach Project Negotiations The commission also debated a proposal to allow the City of Sanibel to “piggyback” on the CEPD’s current contract with Great Lakes Dredge & Dock. This cooperation would facilitate the Northern Sanibel Beach Renourishment Project, placing approximately 300,000 cubic yards of sand along Sanibel’s northern shore.

During the initial meeting on Nov. 10, the board voted 2-3 against the proposal, with Commissioners Bernie Dupre, Timothy McGowan, and Bob Walter dissenting due to concerns over financial cost-sharing.

However, the discussion reopened during a Nov. 13 workshop attended by Sanibel City Manager Dana Souza. Negotiations focused on adjusting the administrative cost-share the CEPD would receive. While the city declined a request to pay an additional $375,000 for mobilization costs—citing strict budget constraints—Souza indicated a willingness to increase the cost-share percentage from roughly 23% to 27.2%.

Following this adjustment, commissioners expressed support for the revised agreement, noting the mutual benefits for the islands. The board directed staff to formalize the new numbers for Sanibel City Council to consider, and a special meeting was set for Nov. 17 for the CEPD to reconsider the vote.

Administrative Changes and Grants In other business, the commission made a unanimous decision to change lobbying representation, voting 5-0 to terminate their agreement with Becker & Poliakoff and engage The Southern Group.

Finally, staff reported progress on a $500,000 invasive species grant from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. This funding is designated specifically for the removal of non-native vegetation, such as Australian pines, though it does not cover the costs for replanting native species.