Category: Island Update

The 15th annual Fish of SanCap road race is scheduled for Saturday, December 2, 2023. This year, the organizers are restructuring the race fundraiser to celebrate the resilience of the islands by adding a 5K to the morning’s activities, followed by a kids’ fun run family day hosted by and in partnership with the Sanibel Recreation Center.

It will be the first in-person event in recent years. In 2020-2021, the organization offered a virtual-only race due to COVID, and the 2022 event was canceled due to Hurricane Ian. The 2023 10K/5K will also offer a virtual option, but FISH encourages runners to join in person and stay on the islands for the day or weekend.

The race will start and finish at the Sanibel Community House. The 10K course will take runners along Sanibel’s scenic streets and trails, while the 5K course will be a flatter, out-and-back course on Sanibel’s Causeway.

Registration for the race is now open. Early bird registration is available until September 25, 2023. Registration fees are as follows:

• 10K: $45 early bird, (Price increases after September 25, 2023 at 11:59pm EDT)
• 5K: $45 early bird,
• (Price increases after September 25, 2023 at 11:59pm EDT)
• FISH 10K – 18 & Under: $35 (Registration ends December 2, 2023 at 7:15am EST)
• FISH 5K – 18 & Under: $35 (Registration ends December 2, 2023 at 7:15am EST)
• FISH 10K Virtual: $50 (Registration ends December 1st, 2023 at 11:59pm EST)
• FISH 5K Virtual: $50 (Registration ends December 1st, 2023 at 11:59pm EST)
• Kids Fun Run: $0 (Registration ends December 1st, 2023 at 11:59pm EST)

Click here for more info

Doc Ford’s Fisherman’s Wharf Reopens After 10 Months of Renovations

After being closed for 10 months due to Hurricane Ian, Doc Ford’s Fisherman’s Wharf in Fort Myers Beach reopened its doors on Monday, July 31. The restaurant’s wooden docks were wrecked by the hurricane’s winds and storm surge, but the rest of the building was spared.

“It’s been a heckuva ride,” said Joe Harrity, one of Doc Ford’s managing partners. “But we’re excited to be back open and serving our guests.”

The restaurant has undergone a number of renovations since it closed, including the installation of a new roof, new flooring, and new furniture. The kitchen has also been upgraded, and the menu has been expanded to include new dishes.

“We’re really proud of the way the restaurant turned out,” said Harrity. “We think our guests are going to be really happy with it.”

Doc Ford’s Fisherman’s Wharf is located at 1200 Estero Blvd. in Fort Myers Beach. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, seven days a week.

In addition to the renovations, Doc Ford’s has also made a number of changes to its menu. The new menu features a variety of seafood dishes, as well as burgers, sandwiches, and salads. There are also a number of new cocktails and beer on tap.

The restaurant is also offering a number of specials to celebrate its reopening. For example, diners can get a free appetizer with the purchase of an entree on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Doc Ford’s Fisherman’s Wharf is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike. The restaurant offers a casual atmosphere and a great view of the water. It’s a great place to go for a meal with friends or family.

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Loggerhead and green sea turtles are two of the most common sea turtles found in the waters off of Southwest Florida. Both species are important members of the marine ecosystem, but there are some key differences between them.

Size

Loggerheads are the larger of the two species, with an average carapace length of 2-3 feet. Green turtles are smaller, with an average carapace length of 1.5-2 feet.

Diet

Loggerheads are omnivorous, meaning they eat both plants and animals. Their diet consists of a variety of prey items, including jellyfish, crabs, clams, and fish. Green turtles are herbivores, and their diet consists primarily of seagrasses and algae.

Nesting Behavior

Loggerhead and green sea turtles both nest on beaches, but they have different nesting behaviors. Loggerhead turtles typically nest at night, while green turtles nest during the day. Loggerhead nests are also smaller than green turtle nests, and they are usually located in more protected areas.

Conservation Status

Both loggerhead and green sea turtles are listed as endangered species. However, loggerheads are considered to be more critically endangered than green turtles. This is because loggerhead turtles have a lower reproductive rate than green turtles.

How You Can Help

There are a number of things you can do to help protect loggerhead and green sea turtles. Here are a few tips:

• Avoid using beachfront lighting at night, as this can disorient nesting turtles.
• Pick up trash on the beach, as this can harm turtles and their nests.
• Support organizations that are working to conserve sea turtles.

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Board votes to support “Savor the Shore” campaign to boost restaurants and attractions

Fort Myers, FL, Aug. 1, 2023 – The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted Tuesday to waive tolls on the Sanibel Causeway for the next six Sundays in support of the “Savor the Shore” campaign organized by the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau.

Tolls on the Causeway will be waived each Sunday through Sept. 10. The campaign is intended to encourage residents to enjoy access to local restaurants and attractions during the off-season. Tolls are waived each Sunday on the Causeway only, not additional Lee County bridges.

To receive updates from Lee County Government, sign up for the newsletter here: www.leegov.com/resources/newsletters. Follow Lee County Government on Facebook, www.facebook.com/leecountyflbocc

Restoration efforts are quickly progressing at the Puschel Preserve on Sanibel. As of July 11, the last of the exotic trees such as Australian pine, javaplum and seaside mahoe had been removed or left in place for cavity-nesting birds.

The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) is leading the restoration project, which is funded by the Florida Forever program. The goal of the project is to restore the preserve to its natural state as a coastal scrub habitat.

In addition to removing the exotic trees, SCCF has also planted native plants, such as saw palmetto, seagrape and cocoplum. These plants will help to restore the preserve’s ecosystem and provide food and shelter for wildlife.

The public will not be able to access the preserve until the restoration is complete. However, SCCF is planning to open a circular public trail off the city’s Shared Use Path in the northern section of the property. The trail will lead to a pollinator garden and scenic overlook onto wetland and sculpture gardens.

The restoration of the Puschel Preserve is a major step forward in the conservation of Sanibel’s natural resources. The preserve is home to a variety of wildlife, including gopher tortoises, shorebirds, and butterflies. By restoring the preserve to its natural state, SCCF is helping to ensure that these species will have a place to live for generations to come.

As the islands of Sanibel and Captiva continue to recover from Hurricane Ian, a trio of iconic island businesses have reopened after overcoming various challenges.

• She Sells Sea Shells

Anne Joffe opened the shell shop at 1157 Periwinkle Way in 1974. One of the challenges she faced in reopening was finding her battered storefront sign, which is one of the first things tourists see upon driving onto the island. On September 28, the storm’s winds blew it apart, and the tidal surge moved it into the woods across the street. Joffe’s children later found it and refurbished it, putting it back in place.

Joffe reopened the store during Fourth of July weekend after dealing with damage created by her store’s biggest nemesis: hurricanes.

• Nanny’s of Sanibel

Heather Termini bought Nanny’s of Sanibel, 1700 Periwinkle Way, last year. The previous owner didn’t want to deal with the post-hurricane hassles. Termini, however, saw the pros in acquiring a business that will celebrate its 41st anniversary later this year.

Just two weeks after Termini bought the business, a fire in the neighboring Jerry’s grocery store caused the sprinkler system to flood the inside of her store. This forced her to close and redo the flooring and drywall, which had escaped the hurricane’s wrath. She reopened on March 1 after being closed for most of February.

• RC Otter’s

On Captiva, owner Sandy Stilwell Youngquist and her team at RC Otter’s will cut the ribbon for its grand reopening party at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday.

Contractors put on a new roof. While they were at it, they also raised the ceiling, keeping the dining room the same size but giving it a roomier feel.

Up next will be refurbishing the Keylime Bistro restaurant across the street. Youngquist is planning to reopen it by September 22, coinciding with the start of the Island Hopper Songwriter Fest.

These three businesses are just a few examples of the resilience of the people and businesses on Sanibel and Captiva. Despite the challenges they faced after Hurricane Ian, they have all reopened and are ready to welcome visitors back to the islands.

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The 2023 Back to School Sales Tax Holiday in Florida is now underway! From July 28 to August 6, 2023, you can save money on qualifying back-to-school supplies.

The sales tax holiday applies to the following items:

• Clothing and footwear for children and adults up to $100 per item.
• School supplies up to $15 per item.
• Computers and tablets up to $1,000 per item.

The sales tax holiday does not apply to the following items:

• Rental or repair of any of the qualifying items.
• Sales in a theme park, entertainment complex, public lodging establishment, or airport.

For more information, visit the Florida Department of Revenue website: https://floridarevenue.com/backtoschool.

The Captiva Civic Association (CCA) has established a legal fund to oppose proposed changes to Captiva’s height and density regulations. The changes, which were proposed by the Lee County Board of County Commissioners, would allow for taller buildings and more dense development on the island.

The CCA believes that the proposed changes would have a negative impact on the character of Captiva. The island is known for its small-town charm and its natural beauty. The CCA is concerned that the proposed changes would lead to more traffic, more noise, and less open space.

The CCA is urging the community to contribute to the legal fund. The fund will be used to hire legal representation to fight the proposed changes. The CCA has already retained the law firm of GrayRobinson to represent the community.

If you are interested in contributing to the legal fund, you can do so by visiting the CCA website or by sending a check to the following address:

Captiva Civic Association
Legal Fund
PO Box 1281
Captiva Island, FL 33924

The deadline for submitting contributions is July 31, 2023.

The CCA is committed to protecting the character of Captiva. With your help, we can ensure that the island remains a special place for generations to come.

What You Can Do

There are a few things you can do to help the CCA fight the proposed changes to Captiva’s height and density regulations:

Contribute to the legal fund. Every dollar counts.
Attend the public hearing on the proposed changes. The hearing will be held on August 1, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. at the Lee County Government Center, 21200 South Tamiami Trail, Fort Myers, FL.

Contact your elected officials and let them know that you oppose the proposed changes. You can find their contact information on the Lee County website.
Together, we can make a difference. Let’s protect the character of Captiva for future generations.

Captiva-Sanibel Chamber to Lead City’s 50th Anniversary Celebration, Postpones Luminary.

The Captiva-Sanibel Chamber of Commerce will be leading the city’s 50th anniversary celebration, which will kick off on November 5, 2024, the date the city was incorporated. The celebration will culminate with a Luminary event on November 4, 2025.

The Chamber has postponed the Luminary event, which was originally scheduled for November 5, 2023. The decision to postpone was made due to concerns about the availability of vendors and the potential for inclement weather.

The Chamber is currently working on a new timeline for the Luminary event. The event will still feature illuminated boat parades, but the exact dates and times have not yet been determined.

The Chamber is also planning other events to celebrate the city’s 50th anniversary. These events will include concerts, festivals, and educational programs.

The Chamber is encouraging residents and visitors to get involved in the planning of the 50th-anniversary celebration. More information about the celebration can be found on the Chamber’s website.