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A Rare Find on Sanibel

Don't miss out on this great opportunity to own a beautifully updated condo with Gulf and Lake views.

This Perfect Beach Condo is ready for your arrival! Boasting a state of the art kitchen, large living area, 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, #9A at Sunset South has a partial view of the Gulf and an expansive view of the river with wildlife everywhere. Completely renovated, this condo has updated plumbing and electrical, new kitchen, new bathrooms, new washer and dryer, new floors, electric hurricane shutters, and a private garage with a 240 sq. ft. storage unit behind it. Amenities include pool, clubhouse, and resident activities, with full-time, on-site management. Owners may have a pet. Complex and grounds are beautifully maintained. Hurry!

Just Reduced to $549,000

The Only condo on the market at Sunset South !

http://www.perfectbeachcondo.com/

Captiva Cruises Introduces Eco-Cruise Expeditions

Captiva cruises introduce its new Eco-Cruise Expedition series.  The science at Sea Cruise will be one of five cruises included in the program.

On this hands on adventure, children and adults will be able to try their hand at marine biology.  A trawling net will be used to observe and identify some of the unique inhabitants within our Back Bay waters and information will be collected for the Sanibel-Captiva conservation Foundations ongoing water quality research.

For additional information and reservations contact Captiva Cruises.

http://www.captivacruises.com/index.html

Foreign buyers help housing market

MIAMI – July 6, 2011 – Foreign buyers are helping to stoke home sales in U.S. vacation hot spots decimated by the real estate crash, especially in southern Florida.

For the 12 months ending in March, 31 percent of Florida’s home sales were to foreign buyers, up from 10 percent in 2007, according to a survey by the National Association of Realtors.

In Arizona, 6 percent of sales in the same period were to foreigners. That was down from 11 percent last year but still up from 5 percent in 2007, the data show.

Foreign buyers are being enticed by low U.S. home prices, down 30 percent nationwide since peaking in 2006, and the weakened dollar, which makes their money go further. Since the start of 2006, the Canadian dollar has soared 18 percent against the U.S. dollar, while the euro has gained 22 percent, says data tracker Oanda.

Sea Turtle Update as of July 22, 2011

Sea Turtle Nesting Stats As of July 22, 2011
	Nests	False Crawls	Hatches
Sanibel East End	35	81	3
Sanibel West End	230* **	334	32**
Captiva	73	50	31
TOTAL	338	465	66

Most nests on the islands are Loggerhead. However, this year we have one Kemps Ridley** and five Greens * included in the totals above. Read about the Kemp's Ridley.

Please do not disturb nesting sea turtles. There have been reports of several nesting attempts disturbed by onlookers. If a turtle fails after several nesting attempts, she will eject her eggs into the Gulf, so failed attempts -- false crawls -- are serious.
Click here for more info.

The Cheese Nook has a New Name

After a 2 1/2 year hiatus, Steve and Heather Corbin former owners of the Cheese Nook in Periwinkle Place have re-opened with a new name.  Sand Castle Gifts and Gourmet.

The store specialises in island gifts and treats including seashell-theme mugs, aprons, tea towels, serving platters and hotess gifts.

Stop in and try some of the long-time favorites such a slice of frozen key lime pie dipped in chocolate on a stick.

# 20 at Periwinkle Place Shopping Center
239-472-2201

Sanibel & Captiva Real Estate Market Update

Check out the below link about the Sanibel & Captiva Real Estate Update.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ny6PRa_BC7g&feature=related

Bobcat Spotted in Gulf Shores

One of the many great qualities of Sanibel and Captiva Island is seeing abundant wildlife.  Where else will you see bobcats in your backyard, an array of birds, lizards, dolphins, sea turtles, manatees and otters.

This bobcat stopped by a Gulf Pines residents yard for a drink and a rest on the deck.

Sea Turtle Nesting Stats July 18th

Sea Turtle Nesting Stats As of July 18, 2011
	Nests	False Crawls	Hatches
Sanibel East End	33	74	1
Sanibel West End	208* **	316	15**
Captiva	70	50	24
TOTAL	311	440	40

Most nests on the islands are Loggerhead. However, this year we have one Kemps Ridley** and five Greens * included in the totals above. Read about the Kemp's Ridley.

Please do not disturb nesting sea turtles. There have been reports of several nesting attempts disturbed by onlookers. If a turtle fails after several nesting attempts, she will eject her eggs into the Gulf, so failed attempts -- false crawls -- are serious.
Click here for more info.

Sanibel Sea School

Last week was Coral Reef Week at Sanibel Sea School, which means

34 campers, six tents, 50 life vests, crates of oranges, boxes of bread,

three enormous coolers of food, two stoves, one grill, a boat, a U-Haul and

a lot more stuff made its way down to the Big Pine Key camp for a week of

wilderness, no see’ums, rain, and lots of water time.

No electricity, no iPods, no phones, no computers – just us. So campers wove

palm fronds and snorkeled off the beach, gathered hermit crabs in shallow water

and had sea grape wars when they were on land. And when they weren’t on land,

they snorkeled on Looe Key, a National Marine Sanctuary, the beautiful barrier

reef off Big Pine Key.

Wow – we saw sharks and huge tarpon, eagle ray and sea turtle, giant

parrot fish in grazing groups and queen conchs too large to lift out of water. We

saw lobsters hiding under ledges and barracuda at cleaning stations, mountainous

coral and encrusting coral and branching coral. We saw Goliath groupers. And in

the blue water, we saw flying fish!

For More Information on the Sea School Visit:

http://www.sanibelseaschool.org/kidsprogram.html

Gulf Coast growth to outpace state

State population experts predict the population of the Gulf Coast from Pasco to Collier counties will grow from the 2010 Census figure of roughly 4.4 million to more than 6.3 million by 2040, though the rate of growth will steadily decelerate.

Related Headlines:

That growth of 1.9 million represents a 42.8% increase, topping the state’s 38.7% population growth rate projected for the next 30-year period. The Gulf Coast’s share of the state’s population will move up from 23.5% of Florida’s 2010 population of 18.8 million to 26% of 26.1 million by 2040. The state grew by 2.8 million residents during the past decade, an increase of 17.6%.

Population analysts at the University of Florida’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research, or BEBR, project that Hillsborough County’s population will grow the most of the eight Gulf Coast counties. They predict a rise of 607,474 during the course of the next three decades. That figure also makes the county the third-biggest gainer behind Orange County, up 669,544; and Miami-Dade, up 653,765.


But the data shows Lee County growing the fastest of Gulf Coast counties, increasing by 75.6% from 2010 to 2040. With a gain of nearly 468,000 residents that puts the county at more than 1 million. By 2030, Lee County’s population will pass Pinellas County’s, which is projected to slowly decline. For Lee County, the percentage increase to 2040 ranks it as the sixth-highest county growth rate among the state’s 67 counties.

Flagler County, in northeast Florida, is projected to grow the quickest — 125.1% from 2010 to 2040, spurred by the growth of the Palm Coast development. Other counties rounding out the top five fastest growers are Sumter (121.7%), St. Johns (98.7%), Osceola (96.3%) and St. Lucie (83.8%).
Pasco County also ranks among the biggest and fastest growers during the 30-year timeframe. The study projects the county to add 307,703 residents, the seventh most of any county. That represents a 66% rise from the 2010 population of 464,697, which makes Pasco the 10th-fastest grower among the state’s counties and second fastest among the Gulf Coast group.

That amount of growth for Pasco might be low based on recent past experience with the bureau’s projections, according to Richard Gehring, the county’s growth management administrator. “As we approached the Census, BEBR was saying 430,000,” Gehring recalls. “The Census number came in at 464,000.”

Nevertheless, BEBR predicts the pace of growth for Gulf Coast counties will decline during each of the next three decades. For example, even Lee County’s growth rate will slide from a 26% increase from 2010 to 2020, to 20.9% rise from 2020 to 2030, and then drop off to just 15.3% from 2030 to 2040. That pattern is consistent across the state.

The larger growth rates for the 2010 to 2020 decade may be uneven, and off to a relatively slow start, according to Stan Smith, director of BEBR.

“The collapse of the housing market and the lingering effects of the worst economic crisis since the 1930s are likely to keep the state’s population growth at relatively low levels for another year or two,” says Smith in a press release. “We expect growth to increase thereafter, reaching levels more in line with historical patterns by the middle of the decade. For many counties, however, future increases are likely to be smaller than those occurring during the last several decades.”

Snowy Plover and Wilson Polver Nesting Update

Nesting season began in Feb and so far this year there are 11 fledglings Snowy from five nests, last year there were only 7 for the entire season.   Snowy Plovers, one nest is incubating and one nest has two chicks.  Dix nests predated, one had eggs that were not viable, one was washed out and then predated.

The Wilson Plovers, there are two nests.  One has hatched with three chicks and the second nest has fledged three chicks.

Nesting season is through Aug.  Please make sure to keep your dogs on a leash, respect the nesting areas, avoid flying kites near the nests.  Plovers view kites as predators.  Never chase birds on the beach, fill holes on the beach.  The holes can trap the chicks who can die from exposure.

Sea Turtle Update

Sea Turtle Nesting Stats As of July 8, 2011
	Nests	False Crawls	Hatches
Sanibel East End	30	59	0
Sanibel West End	194* **	287	10**
Captiva	60	40	8
TOTAL	284	386	18

Most nests on the islands are Loggerhead. However, this year we have one Kemps Ridley** and two Greens * included in the totals above. Read about the Kemp's Ridley.

Please do not disturb nesting sea turtles. There have been reports of several nesting attempts disturbed by onlookers. If a turtle fails after several nesting attempts, she will eject her eggs into the Gulf, so failed attempts -- false crawls -- are serious.
Click here for more info.

Sanibel Island Weather vs Up North Weather

When I first decided to move here many people from Ohio would say ...."but its so hot and humid there".  Lets look at the weather here vs up north.

First...Sanibel.  Keep in mind we always have a nice breeze from the Gulf .

Next Columbus:



Charlotte, NC:

99 ! WOW

Minnesota:



57 Low.....Did Summer ever Start?

So not much differnce from  Ohio.  On Sanibel you can always cool off at the Rec Center Pools, your own pool, the Gulf, Boating, Riding around on a scooter....etc.

Shellabration Winners

Great fun at the Sanibel 4th of. July parade this year.  Large crowds came out to watch the parade where local business had a theme this year of  Shellabration.  There was a lot of candy and gifts thrown out.  A thing I've never expierienced before is the crowd soaking the people in the parade with water?  This must be a Florida thing because I have never seen this in an Ohio parade. 

The Parade Winners were:

Junonia-Most Original/Best Overall
RS Walsh Landscaping & John R Wood Island Real Estate
Runner Up:  ILOVESHELLING.com

Lightning Whelk-Best Music/Performance
Sanibel Diamond Store
Runner Up: Bank of the Islands

Kings Crown-Most Patriotic
South Seas Island Resort
Runner Up: Cips Palce

Alphabet Cone-Most Unsual
Childrens Education Center of the Islands
Runner Up: Sanibel Deli & Coffee Factory

Coquina-Best Non-Commercial (tie)
JN Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge
The Bailys-Mathews Shell Museaum
Runner Up: City of Sanibel Rec Department

Have You Been to the Sanibel Rec Center?

 A great way to stay cool this summer (besides jumping in the Gulf) is going to the Rec Center pools.

With extended hours effective through Aug 7th the many pool choices can fit any age.

Lap Pool Monday thru Thur 6:30 am to 8:00 pm
Friday: 6:30am to 6:30 pm
Sat: 8am to 5pm
Sunday: noon to 5pm

Pool and Splash Pad
Monday thru Fri: 9am to noon then 1pm to 5pm
Sat: 8am to 5pm
Sun: noon to 5pm

Water Slide
Mon thru Fri 2 to 5pm
Sat and Sun noon to 5pm

4th of July Celebrations on Sanibel

Start the day with the 4th of July Parade !
The parade starts at 9:30 am on Periwinkle Way.  This years theme is Shellabration.

4th of July BBQ

Date: Mon 4 July
Time: 11:00 am - 04:00 pm

Location: George & Wendy's Corner Grill/Bailey's Shopping Center, 2499 Periwinkle Way

 

Fireworks Over the Bay

The fireworks begin at dusk and will be launched bayside from Baily Rd.

 

 

If you’ve recently visited Bailey’s General Store and noticed an accurate replica of the Sanibel Lighthouse standing prominently in the front of the store, and wondered what was that all about, then wonder no more.

Rusty Farst, a Sanibel filmmaker, together with Bailey’s General Store, is selling $10 raffle tickets for the model lighthouse and the lucky winner gets to take it home.

Part of the proceeds will go to start a fund that will pay for repainting the real Sanibel Lighthouse.

The replica is a 1/10th scale model of the well known and much loved Sanibel landmark, a sign that we have returned to our most favorite place as we come over the causeway or visit Lighthouse Beach.

The replica’s creator Ken Idle spent nearly 60 hours welding and assembling the lighthouse, which is accurate in almost every detail. Idle has been a welder for over 45 years and does specialty work on boats and other marine structures. The lighthouse was built with aviation aluminum for its lightness and strength, stands about 10 feet tall, weighs only about 70 pounds and is the winner’s to keep. The additional perk is that the light at the top actually works and due to the chosen material, will never rust.

“It’s a great opportunity to own a piece of Sanibel history, but in much smaller form” said Farst. “There are so many creative things that someone can do with it, but more importantly, it will help us repaint the original.”

More than half of the available 700 tickets have been sold.

Tickets are available at Bailey’s General Store or from Farst, whom you can contact at rustyfarst@rustyfarst.

com.

Jump in Your Boat and Be on the Gulf of Mexico in Minutes

 

WOW! Only three houses from San Carlos Bay and a long view of the canal. This home is truly the essence of "living the Sanibel lifestyle" ! Come see this immaculate three bedroom and three bathroom masterpiece featuring a soaring 2 story living room and a wonderful master suite. An open and airy floor plan and water views of both the Bay and canal bring the outdoors inside. Boating enthusiasts can moor a large craft at the extended dock and keep their pleasure or fishing boat on the 10,000 lb lift. Watch dolphins and manatees frolic, and catch snook, snapper and redfish in the wide canal in front of your new home. Enjoy Sunrise and the Sunset from your glassed in lanai and dock.

1765 VENUS DR Sanibel, FL 33957 $1,499,000