Category: Island Update

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.

Breeze Airways, a low-cost carrier founded by JetBlue co-founder David Neeleman, is expanding its service in Florida with nine new seasonal winter and spring routes from Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers. The routes will begin in November and include Akron-Canton, Ohio (CAK); New Orleans (MSY); Norfolk, Virginia (ORF); Richmond, Virginia (RIC); and Syracuse, New York (SYR).

Breeze also recently announced new nonstop service from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport to Providence, Rhode Island, and from Tampa International Airport to Hartford, Connecticut, Providence, Rhode Island, and Portland, Maine. With these new routes, Breeze now offers 58 nonstop routes in and out of Florida.

The new routes are part of Breeze’s ongoing expansion across the United States. The airline has been rapidly growing since its launch in 2021, and it now serves more than 120 nonstop routes. Breeze is known for its focus on customer service and its commitment to offering affordable fares.

The new routes from Fort Myers will provide travelers with more convenient and affordable options to reach popular destinations in the Northeast. The routes to New Orleans and Norfolk will be especially popular with travelers who want to avoid long layovers on other airlines.

The new routes from Sarasota-Bradenton and Tampa will also be a welcome addition for travelers in those areas. The routes to Providence will provide direct connections to the capital of Rhode Island, while the routes to Hartford and Portland will offer direct connections to major cities in Connecticut and Maine.

Breeze’s expansion in Florida is a positive development for the state’s tourism industry. The new routes will make it easier and more affordable for people to visit Florida from all over the country. This is likely to boost tourism in the state and help to create jobs.

Overall, Breeze’s expansion in Florida is a good thing for the state’s economy and its residents. The new routes will provide more travel options and make it easier for people to get to where they want to go.

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Sweet Melissa’s Cafe: A New Chapter

Sweet Melissa’s Cafe, a beloved restaurant on Sanibel Island, is rebuilding after being damaged by Hurricane Ian in 2022. Chef Melissa Donahue recently shared a rendering of the new building, which will be larger and more modern than the original.

The new Sweet Melissa’s will have a spacious dining room with floor-to-ceiling windows, as well as an outdoor patio with views of the Gulf of Mexico. The menu will feature the same popular dishes that made the original restaurant a success, as well as some new additions.

Donahue is excited to share the new Sweet Melissa’s with her customers. “We’re really looking forward to creating a new and even better dining experience for our guests,” she said. “We can’t wait to open our doors and welcome everyone back.”

The new Sweet Melissa’s is expected to open in early 2023. In the meantime, Donahue and her team are working hard to rebuild the restaurant and bring it back to its former glory.

Here is the post from their Instagram account

The transition! Ready for another full house!Sweet Melissa’s Cafe Thursdays and Fridays! Make your reservations today! (239)472-1581

Here are some additional details about the new Sweet Melissa’s:

• The new building will be located at the same address as the original restaurant, 2075 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel Island, FL 33957.
• The new restaurant will have seating for 120 guests, plus an additional 40 seats on the patio.
• The menu will feature a variety of American cuisine, with a focus on fresh seafood and locally-sourced ingredients.
• The new Sweet Melissa’s is expected to be open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.