Category: Island Update

The AngelFISH Society of the F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva Foundation is inviting all island women to its annual luncheon, a key event designed to blend philanthropy, education, and friendship while addressing pressing local needs.

This is a fantastic opportunity for current members and any interested women to get directly involved in supporting the Sanibel-Captiva community.

Event Details & What to Expect

Mark your calendars for an afternoon of connection and purpose!

• ️ Date: Friday, November 10
• ⏰ Time: 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (Registration from 11:00-11:30 a.m.)
• Location: Sundial Beach Resort & Spa, Sanibel
• Cost: $40 per person (includes starter, choice of entree, and dessert)
• ⚠️ RSVP Deadline: November 1

The Highlight: Unveiling the AngelFISH Kitchen Project

The luncheon serves as the official launch pad for the AngelFISH Society’s 2025-2026 initiative. This year’s focus is the exciting AngelFISH Kitchen project.

Building on F.I.S.H.’s established commitment to food access—which includes its food pantry and meal programs—the AngelFISH Kitchen will expand support to include crucial nutrition and wellness education for families and seniors.

“The purpose of it is that we wanted to educate women about the needs of the community,” says Committee Chair Linda Uhler. “Once we knew what the needs were, we wanted to engage women to assist with those needs.”

The inaugural project will involve providing selected F.I.S.H. clients with a versatile air fryer convection oven, followed by a series of classes offering recipes and healthy nutritional facts. This offers a convenient way for both busy families and seniors to create healthy meals.

Featured Speaker: Wellness Expertise

Attendees will gain valuable insights from featured speaker Carrie Bloemers, Lee Health’s System Director of Wellness. A registered dietitian with a passion for whole-person health, Bloemers will share her expertise, perfectly tying into the nutritional theme of the new AngelFISH project.

Why Join AngelFISH?

The AngelFISH Society, founded in 2021, is a philanthropic group where women pool their annual contributions to make a significant impact on one key project, ensuring their giving is both powerful and focused.

As a bonus for attending and becoming a member at the luncheon, you will be entered into a drawing for wonderful prizes, including a Kay Casperson Spa gift certificate, an AeroGarden Sprout, and more!

Current members, seasonal residents, new residents—all women who wish to learn more and make a tangible difference in the lives of their neighbors are strongly encouraged to attend.

Ready to RSVP?

Don’t miss the deadline! Secure your spot by November 1st.

• Click Here to RSVP: angelfishluncheon.rsvpify.com
• Questions? Email: events@fishofsancap.org

Get ready, Captiva! One of the island’s most beloved weekly traditions is making its triumphant return. The Captiva Island Farmers Market, celebrating its eighth season, is set to open its doors on Tuesday, November 4th!

What You Need to Know

The market, organized by island residents Jean Baer and Betsy Ventura of Local Roots, is the perfect midweek stop for locals and visitors alike.

• When: Every Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Where: The Shops at South Seas (14830 Captiva Drive)
• ️ Season: November through April

A Feast for the Senses

This year’s market is bringing back an exciting lineup of nearly 30 vendors. According to co-owner Jean Baer, whether you’re looking for dinner ingredients or a quick lunch, you’ll find it here:

• Produce & Pantry: Fresh produce, Heritage Honey, and the return of favorites like My Exotic Fruits.
• Lunch & Goodies: Delicious lunch options including crepes, pizza, Cuban sandwiches, fresh crab cakes, and acai bowls. Don’t forget treats from Angelic Desserts and Dynasty Guacamole!
• Crafts & Art: Browse local artisan goods, including jewelry, beach-style clothing, straw hats, custom-made tin art, and wall art.

️ “It’s an excellent activity for the visitors of Captiva… and it gives both residents of Sanibel and Captiva a midweek option if they can’t make the Sanibel market,” says Jean Baer.

Plan Your Visit

The market encourages the true island experience! Golf carts and bikes have great dedicated parking spots. For those driving, vehicle parking is located across the street, but spots are limited.

Good news for pet parents: Family dogs are welcome to join you for your market stroll!

Baer and Ventura send a heartfelt thank you to The Shops at South Seas for hosting and to the Captiva residents for their ongoing support. Come on out, support local small businesses, and share in the wonderful community camaraderie!

Our island community is coming together to preserve approximately 22 acres of Captiva Island, a rare stretch of land running from the Gulf to the Bay between Captiva’s Village and South Seas Resort. These acres, now owned by the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, remain largely undeveloped — a living piece of the island that inspired the legendary artist Robert Rauschenberg himself. During his lifetime, Rauschenberg devoted tremendous effort to safeguarding this land from overdevelopment.

Why This Land Matters

This property is not just land — it’s part of Captiva’s soul. Its lush, natural beauty has inspired generations of artists, residents, and visitors. Preserving it honors Rauschenberg’s legacy and protects the island’s delicate ecosystem from irreversible change.

Competing Offers: Development vs. Preservation

Currently, the Rauschenberg Foundation has received multiple offers — including proposals from developers and a community-driven offer focused on conservation and public good.

• The Captiva Island Fire District has proposed purchasing the 9.81-acre bayfront portion to secure space for its helicopter landing zone and other essential emergency services.

• A Captiva Community Investor has offered to purchase the full 22-acre property, sell the bayfront parcels to the Fire District, and collaborate with local nonprofits, including SCCF and other community leaders, to preserve as much of the remaining land as possible.

Neither the Fire District nor the Community Investor intends to rezone the property for higher density or increased building heights. The vision is clear — to protect, not to profit.

How You Can Help

The Rauschenberg Foundation is now evaluating all offers. To ensure that this cherished land remains protected, we need your voice.

Please take a few minutes to urge the Foundation to sell to the Captiva Community Investor in partnership with the Fire District.

You can send your message by both email and mail:

Email: tyler.minix@nmrk.com
✉️ Mail:
Courtney J. Martin, Executive Director
Robert Rauschenberg Foundation
381 Lafayette Street
New York, NY 10003

Key Reasons to Support the Community Offer

Your letter can be brief — even a few sentences make a difference. In your own words, you might share why protecting this property matters to you and the broader Captiva community. Here are some important points to consider:

1. Environmental Protection: Captiva’s fragile ecosystem cannot sustain major new development without risking serious environmental harm and evacuation challenges during natural disasters.

2. Rauschenberg’s Legacy: Preserving this property honors the artist’s lifelong commitment to protecting Captiva’s natural landscape.

3. Public Safety: The Fire District’s helicopter landing zone and facilities are essential for emergency response and community safety.

4. Public Green Space: Captiva currently has very limited public land. Preserving these acres offers much-needed open space for residents and visitors.

5. Flood Management: The land could provide valuable opportunities for stormwater management to reduce chronic flooding in Captiva Village.

6. Community Use: Some existing buildings could be repurposed for community needs, or maintained as homes consistent with current zoning.

7. No Rezoning: The community plan ensures the land will not be converted into hotels, condominiums, or high-rise developments.

Time is of the essence here, and letters should go out this week, if possible.

The Rauschenberg Foundation is currently in the process of evaluating its purchase offers. We have been told that the Rauschenberg Foundation’s preference is to sell to the community in order to preserve the property. But we don’t know that for sure, and it is important that the community show the Rauschenberg Foundation how much we want and need to preserve and protect this property from future development.

 

Thank you,
James Evans, CEO

SCCF

 

South Seas is once again ushering in the spirit of the season with the return of its cherished annual celebration, Festive — a magical holiday experience exclusively for registered guests and resort owners. This year’s festivities promise a blend of tradition, joy, and family fun, with enchanting Holiday Strolls, Santa visits, and a full week of activities designed to create unforgettable island memories.

Key Festive Dates and Signature Events

The celebration officially begins on December 20, marking the start of a week filled with South Seas holiday traditions:

• Festive Kick-Off (Dec. 20): The season begins with a vibrant golf cart parade, the official tree lighting, and the much-loved Holiday Marina Stroll featuring a visit from Santa himself.

• Christmas Eve Dinner (Dec. 24): Guests are invited to Harborside for a special family-style dinner that captures the warmth and togetherness of the holidays.

• Christmas Day (Dec. 25): Celebrate with live music at Bayview Pool from 12 PM to 3 PM, along with festive games and activities throughout the resort.

Seasonal Resort Activities Schedule

Throughout the week, the South Seas Recreation Team will host a full lineup of family-friendly activities designed to delight guests of all ages.

Plan Your Holiday Stay

The Festive celebration is available exclusively to registered South Seas guests and resort owners. Visitors are encouraged to book their holiday stay early to take part in this timeless island tradition filled with wonder, family connection, and coastal holiday cheer.

Please note: Event times and activities are subject to change based on weather or availability.

The Swashbuckler’s Ball is set to return to The Island Club at North Captiva on October 25th as part of North Captiva’s Anniversary Week celebration.

The event is a night of island fun, bringing together homeowners, residents, local businesses, and guests from 6 PM to Midnight. Attendees can look forward to:

• Pirate-themed drinks
• Live music & entertainment
• A memorable night of island adventure ⚓

Tickets for the Swashbuckler’s Ball went on sale starting October 1 and can be purchased online at northcaptiva.com.

FISH of Sanibel-Captiva is calling on the community for volunteers to help with its two major upcoming fundraisers: the JOG N JAM. Interested individuals can volunteer for one event or both.

Event Details and Sign-Up

The JOG (The Race)

• Date: Saturday, November 1, 2025
• Location: The Community House, Sanibel
• Volunteer Sign-Up/More Info: Visit https://dash.pointapp.org/events/400855

The JAM (The Concert)

• Date: Saturday, December 6, 2025
• Location: ‘Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa, Captiva
• Volunteer Sign-Up/More Info: Visit https://dash.pointapp.org/events/400910

Contact Information

For questions or assistance with signing up, please contact Mary Jean “MJ” Hays, FISH Volunteer & Office Coordinator, at maryjean@fishofsancap.org or 239-472-4775.

The Captiva Island Fire Control District’s commission voted unanimously (3-0) on October 15 to authorize the submission of a Letter of Intent (LOI) to the Rauschenberg Foundation for the acquisition of three bayside parcels on Captiva.

Details of the LOI and Intended Use

The LOI outlines the District’s intent to purchase the land—approximately 9.81 acres—to significantly improve and expand its operational capacity for the immediate benefit of residents and visitors.

The District stated that securing this strategically located property is vital for improving response times and ensuring resilience during high-stress emergency events. The intended uses for the property include:

• Future development of a resilient fire station.
• A permanent helicopter landing zone for medical emergencies.
• Dedicated facilities to stage and distribute emergency supplies after a natural disaster.
• Creation of a fire training facility.
• Construction of a fire boat docking area.

Purchase Terms and Offer Price

Commissioner Jeff Brown, who worked on the due diligence, reported on the terms detailed in the non-binding LOI:

• Offer Price: Following discussion, the commissioners reached a consensus to offer $22 million for the three parcels, slightly below the appraiser’s valuation of $27.6 million. Commissioner Carole Campbell noted, “Our offer has to be attractive,” and the board agreed the $22 million offer would be their “only chance.”
• Earnest Money: The District would provide $25,000 in earnest money upon submission of the purchase agreement, with an additional $25,000 provided after a 60-day due diligence period, totaling $50,000 toward the final cost.
• Full Property Sale: While the District prefers to purchase only the three parcels, it acknowledged the Foundation’s preference to sell all 22 total acres in one transaction. The LOI conveys that the District is open to working with a full-property buyer to acquire the needed parcels.
• Closing Timeline: The District is aiming for a closing date of April 10, but no later than October 30, to accommodate the Foundation’s final residency program season.

Referendum Requirement

The purchase is contingent upon approval by Captiva voters. Fire Chief Jeff Pawul reported that the Lee County Elections Office requested the referendum vote be set for February 10 (instead of the originally discussed January 27) to allow for the timely mailing of overseas ballots. The necessary information must be submitted by November 12 to meet this timeline.

The Captiva Community Panel (CCP) held its recent meeting and received key updates on the future of the Rauschenberg property, the island’s potential septic-to-sewer conversion project, and other ongoing community initiatives.

Rauschenberg Property Update

CCP President David Mintz reported on the sale of the Rauschenberg Foundation property. He noted that the broker was accepting Letters of Intent (LOIs) by October 16, which will serve as the first round of offers for the foundation’s consideration. The process may include a second or third round of bidding.

• The Captiva Island Fire Control District intends to submit an LOI for the three bayside parcels, totaling about 9.8 acres. Mintz stressed that this purchase would align with the community’s interest in preserving and protecting the land as the artist Robert Rauschenberg had intended.
• The Foundation has indicated a preference for selling the entire property in a single transaction, rather than parcel-by-parcel.
• An “island-friendly developer” is reportedly submitting an LOI for all parcels with a commitment: the bayside land would be transferred to the Fire District, and the remaining property would be developed in a manner “consistent with the historical pattern,” ensuring community availability.

The Panel approved a motion to send a letter of support to the Rauschenberg Foundation backing the Fire District’s offer, with a second letter of support for the developer’s full-property offer as a backup. Panel Member John Wade cast the single dissenting vote.

Wastewater Committee Progress

Wastewater Committee Chair Jay Brown provided an update on the proposed island-wide septic-to-sewer conversion.

• A working group has been formed, consisting of panel members and Sanibel city staffers. This group will focus on strategies to reduce the cost of potentially connecting Captiva to Sanibel’s sewer system.
• They will also be actively working to identify grant money and other funding sources to help finance the project. Their first meeting was scheduled for October 17.
• Brown also reported that the committee is evaluating the feasibility of an alternative connection: linking the island to the existing Florida Governmental Utility Authority (FGUA) plant at South Seas. Consultant Kimley-Horn has offered to design a plan to strengthen and expand this facility.

Nominating Committee and Elections

While Secretary and Nominating Committee Chair Tony Lapi was absent, President Mintz delivered the committee’s recommendations for the Panel’s two upcoming vacancies.

• The Captiva Property Owners Association reappointed Treasurer Sandy Stilwell Youngquist and Panel Member Margarethe Thye-Miville.
• The Captiva Civic Association reappointed Panel Member Jon Rosen.

For the two seats the Panel itself must fill, the Nominating Committee received resumes from four candidates—Robert Adler, Jay Brown, Christopher Kemph, and Bob Rando—and recommended Jay Brown and Bob Rando. Mintz clarified that the Panel is not bound by the committee’s nominations.

Anyone interested in submitting a resume for a vacant seat must do so by the November meeting. The Panel will hold its vote to fill the seats at its December meeting.

In Other News

• Stormwater: Stormwater Committee Chair Brown reported that Lee County’s consultants are about a month away from completing a model for the island’s stormwater flows. The next step will involve identifying ways to mitigate these flows to minimize property damage.
• Beach Renourishment Safety: Lee County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Rich Zeltman reminded the public to observe safety during the Captiva Erosion Prevention District’s beach renourishment project. He advised beach-goers to not enter the fenced-in areas where heavy equipment is staged and to stay outside of all construction zones to ensure public safety.

Noah’s Ark Thrift Shop, located at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church on Sanibel, has announced it will be expanding its days of operation starting in November.

Currently, the shop is open every Tuesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Beginning next month, the schedule will be expanded to include the first Saturday of each month, providing the community with more opportunities to visit.

Supporting the Wider Community

Operating for more than 60 years, Noah’s Ark offers a wide range of donated items, including clothes, jewelry, furniture, decor, art, shoes, and books. The donated goods are carefully sorted and displayed by dedicated volunteers from the church.

The thrift shop serves an important mission: all proceeds benefit local and national nonprofits that provide crucial support to the wider community.

Donations are always accepted and can be dropped off 24/7 at the side loading dock located at 2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.

For more information, visit the church’s website at https://www.saintmichaels-sanibel.org/noahs-ark or call 239-799-7146. You can also follow updates on Facebook and Instagram.

The critically acclaimed documentary, “Sanibel,” is now available for audiences to watch on demand via Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video.

Directed by Herbert James Winterstern, the film initially set out to explore the cherished world of seashell collecting and the unique shelling culture of the island community. However, its narrative profoundly changed when Hurricane Ian struck during filming in 2022. The project quickly transformed into a compelling story of survival, grief, resilience, and the unwavering spirit of a community devastated by one of Florida’s largest storms.

The documentary has already earned significant recognition, including the Best Florida Film Award at the Naples International Film Festival and a screening at the 15th annual Fort Myers Film Festival.

For more details on the film, viewers are encouraged to visit the official website at sanibelmovie.com.