Award Winning Website!

Have you heard the news? John R. Wood Island Real Estate's website has received a top award! Read all about it!

http://sanibelrealestatemarket.com/news/1101/Sanibel_Island_Real_Estates_Award_Winning_Website.cfm

For the BEST buying and selling experience choose John Petel with John R. Wood Realtors!

Limited Spaces Available For ‘Ding’ Days Bunche Beach Tours

A limited number of spots remain for two free “Ding” Darling Days Bunche

Beach Birding Tram tours. Reservations and a refundable deposit are

required. Call 472-8900 as soon as possible, because space fills up quickly.

Times and dates for the two trips coordinate with low tides. Both tours will be by

tram departing from the JN “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. The first leaves

from the refuge flagpole at the Education Center on Monday, October 15 at 8 a.m.

and returns around 11 a.m. Another on Friday, October 19 departs at 11:30 a.m.

and returns at 2:30 p.m.

Transportation is compliments of Tarpon Bay Explorers. Knowledgeable birding

experts lead the tour and provide spotting scopes to use.

For more information on other birding tours and eco-events during the 23rd

Annual “Ding” Darling Days, held October 14 to 20, visit www.dingdarlingdays.com.

“Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge sponsors “Ding” Darling Days

along with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and Tarpon Bay Explorers and support

from local businesses and individuals.

“Ding” Darling Days 2012 sponsors include:

Roseate Spoonbill – Doc Ford’s Sanibel Rum Bar & Grill

Great Egret – Ocean’s Reach Condominiums, The Timbers Restaurant & Fish Market

Great Blue Heron – Bailey’s General Store, Caloosa Tent & Rental, Casa Ybel

Resort, Island Sun, Jerry’s Foods, Sanibel Captiva Community Bank, Sanibel Captiva

Trust Company, Jim and Patty Sprankle, West Wind Inn

Reddish Egret – Mike and Terry Baldwin, Big Red Q Quickprint, Art and Susan

Cassell, Cedar Chest Fine Jewelry, Florida Weekly, LCEC, RLR Investments,

Rochester Resorts, Sandalfoot Condos, Sanibel-Captiva Kiwanis Club

Snowy Egret – Barefoot Charley’s Painting, Charlotte Harbor National Estuary

Program (CHNEP), Congress Jewelers, Dan Hahn Custom Builders, Denny’s, George &

Wendy’s Seafood Grille, Good Wheels, Grounds By Greenways, Gulf Breeze Cottages,

Heidrick & Co. Insurance, Mast Family Culligan, Nave Plumbing, Over Easy Café,

Panther Printing, Royal Shell Vacations, Sanibel Art & Frame, Anne and Jim Scott, She

Sells Seashells, Winston and Barbara Spurgeon, Suncatchers’ Dream, Thistle Lodge

As a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, DDWS works to support J.N. “Ding” Darling

National Wildlife Refuge’s mission of conservation, wildlife and habitat protection, research,

and public education through charitable donations and Refuge Nature Shop proceeds.

To support DDWS and the refuge with a tax-deductible gift, visit www.dingdarlingsociety.org or contact Birgie Vertesch at 292-0566, 472-1100 ext. 4 or dingdarlingsociety@gmail.com.

Around the Island with Anne

Local Restaurants To Showcase Menus During Culinary Celebration

by Anne Mitchell

Traditions on the Beach is one of 20 local restaurants – of which four are on Sanibel - taking part in the

Lee County-wide Restaurant Week from October 5 to 14.

Restaurant Week is a local and sustainable culinary celebration where favorite local hot spots offer a great deal on their menus. Special three-course prix fixe lunch and dinner menus have been designed to showcase local chefs.

Other Sanibel restaurants participating are Thistle Lodge, The Blue Giraffe and Sweet Melissa’s.

Traditions on the Beach, which is located on the beachfront at the historic Island Inn on Sanibel, has developed a specially selected menu which includes a wild gulf black grouper and a veal escalope for this event.

“Restaurant Week is a great time to not only be a local, but also to be a restaurant – we get to spoil our guests with a special menu and a special price, just for them,” said Andrea Mucciga, owner of Traditions on the Beach.

Traditions, Thistle Lodge and Sweet Melissa’s have been designated “green” restaurants, which means they have made a commitment to implement sustainable business practices that might include purchasing locally grown produce or locally harvested seafood when available, conserving energy and recycling.

Thistle Lodge blends American, French and Asian cooking traditions with fresh Florida seafood. It is located at 2255 West Gulf Drive, phone 472-9200.

The Blue Giraffe offers casual island dining and serves fresh local seafood, chowder, salads and steaks. Dine outside on the boardwalk or inside at hand-painted tables, inspired by a local artist.

The Blue Giraffe is in Periwinkle Place, 2075 Periwinkle Way, phone 472-2525.

Restaurant Week also features one-ofa-kind culinary experiences by some of the restaurants, including wine tastings paired with live music, cooking demonstrations, tours and classes.

All you need to do is show up at one of the 20 participating restaurants during the 10 days of the event and ask for their special prix fixe menu. Reservations are strongly recommended.

For more information, log on to www.TasteDeliciousLee.com.

Chip’s Sanibel Steakhouse is celebrating Martini Monday with two-for-one martinis from the entire martini list from 5 to 7 p.m. on Mondays. The steakhouse is at 1473 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel,

phone 472-5700.

LIVE ON THE ISLANDS

Traditions on the Beach at the Island Inn has live entertainment most nights. This week’s lineup ncludes:

Friday, dancing to Joe McCormick and singer Barbara Smith; Saturday, Joe McCormick and singer Marvilla Marzan; Wednesday and Thursday, dancing to Joe McCormick with popular favorites and smooth vocal stylings, R&B, jazz and pop. Traditions is at 3111 West Gulf

Drive, phone 472-4559.

The Crow’s Nest at ‘Tween Waters Inn will feature The New Vinyls on Friday and Saturday from 9 p.m.

to 1 a.m. Crab races are Mondays and Thursdays. Twice weekly crab races will resume October 1. The Crow’s Nest is at 15951 Captiva Drive, phone 472-5161.

Sweet Melissa’s Café features Michael David playing light acoustic background music Wednesday through Saturday from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sweet Melissa’s is at 1625 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, phone 472-1956.

George & Wendy’s Sanibel Seafood Grille has live entertainment as follows: Friday, August 24, Anthony

Wayne; Thursday, Karaoke. The restaurant is at 2499 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, phone 395-1263.

The Jacaranda has entertainment from 7 to 11 p.m. as follows: Friday and Saturday, various artists are featured; Sunday, Jamaica “Dave” & Co., reggae and dance; Monday, Renata, jazz, contemporary music and dance; and Wednesday, Buckeye Ken, contemporary, Top 40 and blues. The Jacaranda is at

1223 Periwinkle Way, phone 472-1771.

The Mucky Duck on Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva, features music by Mark Dupuy on Mondays; Rich Lancaster, Wednesdays; Gene Federico, Thursdays and Saturdays; and Buckeye Ken, Fridays.

The Island Cow on Periwinkle Way has live entertainment on Friday with Dan Confrey; Saturday, Diana Lynn; and Sunday, Buckeye Ken. Phone 472-0606.

RC Otter’s, 11506 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva, has live music daily with dining inside and out, phone 395-1142.

Keylime Bistro features live music days and nights seven days a week. New to the line-up is Ken Limeri playing jazz sax from 6 to 10 p.m. every Tuesday. The bistro is located at 11509 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva, phone 395-4000.

Island Sun (September 21, 2012)

Another Cayo Costa Trip!

Team Petel member, Ann, took a Cayo Costa trip with friends and family over the weekend. It's one of her favorite trips on Captiva Cruises and on this outing they were treated to a dolphin chase!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9jFCO6RM2U&feature=youtu.be

There's always fun in Southwest Florida!

Homes Selling More Quickly, Time on Market Down with Tighter Supplies

WASHINGTON (September 5, 2012) – A new measure shows the typical amount of time it takes to sell a home is shrinking, and for traditional sellers is now in the range of historic norms for a balanced market, well below the cyclical peak reached in 2009, according to the National Association of Realtors®.

The median time a home was listed for sale on the market¹ was 69 days in July, down 29.6 percent from 98 days in July 2011.  The median reflects a wide spectrum; one-third of homes purchased in July were on the market for less than a month, while one in five was on the market for at least six months.

Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said there is a clear relationship between inventory supply and time on market.  “As inventory has tightened homes have been selling more quickly,” he said.  “A notable shortening of time on market began this spring, and this has created a general balance between home buyers and sellers in much of the country.  This equilibrium is supporting sustained price growth, and homes that are correctly priced tend to sell quickly, while those that aren’t often languish on the market.”

At the end July there was a 6.4-month supply of homes on the market at the current sales pace, which is 31.2 percent below a year ago when there was a 9.3-month supply.

There are consistent and related findings between annual consumer research in NAR’s Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, and sets of data in the existing-home sales series, that show current market conditions are comparable with median selling time in balanced markets.

In periods where the existing-home sales series averaged close to a 6-month supply of homes in listed inventory, which is near the low end for market equilibrium, the home buyer and seller series showed a median selling time of just over six weeks.

In such balanced market conditions, home prices generally rise 1 to 2 percentage points above the overall rate of inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index.

“Our current forecast is for the median existing home price to rise 4.5 to 5 percent this year and about 5 percent in 2013, which is somewhat stronger than historic norms because of the inventory shortfall that is most pronounced in the low price ranges,” Yun said.  CPI growth is projected at 2.1 percent for 2012 and 2.3 percent next year.

From 1987 through 2011, analysis of the NAR Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers series showed the typical time on market was 6.9 weeks, while the existing-home sales series showed an average supply of 7.0 months, just above the high end for a balanced market.

The new measure of days on market shows a longer selling time than the historic findings which measured traditional sellers of non-distressed homes.  The new series include short sales that typically took three months or longer to sell.  “Factoring out short sales, the median time on market for traditional sellers appears to be in the balanced range of six to seven weeks,” Yun explained.

During the peak of the housing boom in 2004 and 2005 when inventory supplies were historically low, averaging 4.3 months² over the two-year peak period, the median selling time was 4 weeks.  Prices in that time frame were bid up and rose at an annual rate of 10.3 percent, historically higher than the 3.1 percent average growth in CPI during the period.

In the economic downturn, time on market for non-distressed sellers peaked at 10 weeks in 2009 with a 10.0-month annualized supply.  The median price fell 12.9 percent that year, which was the biggest annual decline on record.

“Ironically, if housing construction doesn’t pick up to normal levels within two years, supply shortages could be sustained for an extended period and lead to above average appreciation,” Yun said. “Therefore, any unnecessary hindrance to housing starts, such as excessive local zoning regulations or stringent bank capital rules for construction loans, should be carefully re-examined.”

The National Association of Realtors®, “The Voice for Real Estate,” is America’s largest trade association, representing 1 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries. Read Full Article HERE

Source: Realtor.org

Registration Now Open For 10K Race 4 FISH

Friends In Service Here (FISH) of Sanibel announced that registration for the 4th annual 10K Race

4 FISH race, scheduled to take place on Saturday, October 13, has officially begun.

The 10K Race 4 FISH is being held in conjunction with the Fort Myers Track Club and is expected to attract more than 400 runners this year. Runners can download the FISH 10K entry form at

www.fishofsanibel.com/fish-10k or http://ftmyerstrackclub.com/.

The race will begin at 7:30 a.m. at The Community House on Sanibel, and will once again follow a marked 10K circuit around the island, returning to The Community House for the finish line. There will also be a trade fair, which is aimed at the runners, their families and friends, as well as refreshment tables and water stations around the island for runners. More than 40 island businesses and

organizations sponsored the race in 2011, and over 120 people volunteered to support and execute a great event.

“This race is a significant fundraising event for FISH, and each year we welcome runners from across Southwest Florida, the United States and even from other nations,” said Bill Fellows, president of FISH. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to participate in something that not only helps support a great organization, but to also have the chance to run a beautiful course on an island that was recently

named Arthur Frommer’s number one traveling destination.”

The 10K race is the main fundraising event for FISH this year; the non-profit hopes to raise a significant amount of money.

For more information, visit www.fishofsanibel.com, call 472-0404 or stop by the FISH Walk-In Center at 1630 Periwinkle Way, Unit B on Sanibel.

Call to Artists For World of Fashion Exhibit

BIG ARTS invites artists to submit entries for its juried World of Fashion Exhibit, which runs October 15 through December 1. The exhibit will feature images of the world of fashion and its influence on contemporary life.

Entries must be delivered to BIG ARTS on Friday, October 12 from 9 a.m. to noon and cannot be accepted prior to this receiving date and time. The exhibit juror is modernist painter Veron Ennis, an arts

journalist, art critic and director of UNIT A – Contemporary Art Space in downtown Fort Myers.

The prospectus and more information are available at BIG ARTS, 900 Dunlop Road on Sanibel, or online at www.BIGARTS.org.

There will be a juror’s talk on Friday, October 12 at 2:30 p.m. A reception and awards ceremony will take place on Friday, November 2 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Awards will be given for first place ($500), second place ($250), third place ($125), two merit awards ($50 each) and four honorable mentions.

Using any type of artistic medium, an artist may submit up to two entries for consideration. All entries must be original and may not have been previously shown at BIG ARTS. There is no size limitation

for two dimensional artwork; 3-D pieces are limited to 60 inches in any direction. All work must be ready for proper hanging and display.

The fee to enter up to two entries is $25 for BIG ARTS members and $35 for non-members. All works must be available for sale and priced. No artwork shall be removed until close of show.

For additional information about this exhibit, BIG ARTS events and membership or to sign up for workshops, stop by BIG ARTS, call 395-0900, e-mail info@BIGARTS.org or log on to www.BIGARTS.org.

New Listing!

An amazing opportunity in South Fort Myers!

PRIVATE, PRISTINE, POPULAR! 3 Bedrooms, 2 full baths and 2 half baths. Den could be 4th bedroom! Over 2500 square feet and beautiful features including a pool and spa! This is a short sale pending lender approval which could result in delays. $348,800

Contact John Petel today at 239-560-4960 to schedule your private showing!

To access this home directly CLICK HERE

To access the Team Petel website CLICK HERE

Weekend Fun!

Have you taken a cruise from Captiva Cruises? If not, try one this weekend! Captiva Cruises is one of our favorite island activities. Choose from a variety of cruise adventures such as a wildlife adventure, a sunset serenade, a sunset catamaran sail, or a day trip to Cayo Costa, Cabbage Key or Useppa.

Visit the Captiva Cruises website CLICK HERE for more information.

To learn more about Team Petel visit our website CLICK HERE

Sanibel Island Hurricane Issac Update

Check out this video regarding Hurricane Isaac


<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/JkJwFJTSIdo?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

www.teampetel.com

Around The Islands With Anne

Comfort By Design Closing After Two Decades On Islands

by Anne Mitchell

After more than 20 years selling fine shoes on Sanibel, Heidi Thibaut and partner Steve Watson are closing their store, Comfort by Design, in the Lime Tree Center. Thibaut purchased Comfort by Design from Rosemary Armstrong, owner of Comfort by Design on Fort Myers Beach, 20 years ago. Watson joined the business in 2002 and it has been a fantastic partnership since.

Thibaut is moving on to other pursuits but says the departure is bittersweet.

To her customers, she says, “Thank you for 20 great years. It has been awesome. Now it’s time to move on.”

For consumers, it means additional markdowns storewide over the Labor Day weekend. That could mean huge savings given that everything in the store is already discounted.

Some of the leading names in comfort footwear such as Mephisto, Ecco, Earth Shoes, Sanita, and Birkenstock will be available at unbelievably low prices.

Tell your friends and neighbors that this is a great time to stock up on their favorite brands. Pull out your Christmas gift list, too.

You’ll find everything from flip-flops to flats, walking shoes to wedges, footwear for men, women and children, all designed to be kind and gentle to your feet.

All the Sanuk flip-flops will be further reduced by 40 percent. LeSportSac purses will be marked down 30 percent and there will be unprecedented prices on jewelry and accessories as well.

Store hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day, including Sunday, through Labor Day.

Comfort by Design is in the Lime Tree Center at 1640 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, across from Bank of the Islands, phone 395-0666.

Labor Day weekend is renowned for sidewalk sales and this year is no exception.

As of August 21, the following locations have city permits for sidewalk sales;

• Sanibel Square, 2240 Periwinkle Way

• Olde Sanibel Shoppes, 630 Tarpon Bay Road

• Tahitian Gardens, 1975 Periwinkle Way

• The Village Shops, 2340 Periwinkle Way

• Periwinkle Place, 2075 Periwinkle Way

• Seahorse Shopping Center, 362 Periwinkle Way

• Palm Ridge Shopping Plaza, 2330 Palm Ridge Road

• Big Dog Surf Shop, 459 Periwinkle Way

LIVE ON THE ISLANDS

Traditions on the Beach at the Island Inn has live entertainment most nights. This week’s lineup: Friday, August 31, singing and dancing with Joe McCormick and Barbara Smith; Saturday, September 1, smooth music and dancing with Joe McCormick and Marvilla Marzan; Labor Day celebration on Sunday, September 2, Sanibel’s own Pianoman Joe McCormick with popular favorites and smooth vocal stylings, R&B, jazz and pop, dancing.

Traditions will be closed Monday, September 3 through Thursday, September 6.

Traditions is at 3111 West Gulf Drive, phone 472-4559.

The Crow’s Nest at ’Tween Waters Inn will feature The Sand Fleas on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. The Crow’s Nest is at 15951 Captiva Drive, phone 472-5161.

Sweet Melissa’s Café features Michael David playing light acoustic background music Wednesday through Saturday from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sweet Melissa’s is at 1625 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, phone 472-1956.

George & Wendy’s Sanibel Seafood Grille has live entertainment as follows: Friday, August 31, Chris Workman, keyboard and vocals; Thursdays, Karaoke. The restaurant is at 2499 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, phone 395-1263.

The Jacaranda has entertainment nightly from 7 to 11 p.m. On Friday and Saturday, various artists are featured. On Sunday, it’s Jamaica “Dave” & Co., reggae and dance; Monday, Renata, jazz, contemporary music and dance; Tuesday, Steve “Scooter” Reynolds, accoustic guitar, contemporary music and dance; Wednesday, Buckeye Ken, contemporary, Top 40 and blues; Thursday, 2 Hot, contemporary, reggae and dance. The Jacaranda is at 1223 Periwinkle Way, phone 472-1771.

The Mucky Duck on Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva, features music by Mark Dupuy on Mondays; Rich Lancaster, Wednesdays; Gene Federico, Thursdays and Saturdays; and Buckeye Ken, Fridays.

The Island Cow on Periwinkle Way has live entertainment on Friday with Dan Confrey; Saturday, Diana Lynn; and Sunday, Buckeye Ken. Phone 472-0606.

RC Otter’s, 11506 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva, has live music daily with dining inside and out, phone 395-1142.

Keylime Bistro features live music days and nights seven days a week. New to the line-up is Ken Limeri playing jazz sax from 6 to 10 p.m. every Tuesday. The bistro is at 11509 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva,

phone 395-4000.

Randy Wayne White Debuts New Book Series

Doc Ford, move over. There’s a new mystery-series protagonist in town, and she goes by the name

of Hannah Smith. Bestselling novelist Randy Wayne White’s latest work, titled Gone, goes on sale September 4, but fans can buy the latest thriller at a special pre-release book-signing event

on September 2 and 3 at Doc Ford’s Sanibel Rum Bar & Grille on Sanibel.

“Hannah Smith is a tall, strong, formidable woman, the descendant of generations of strong Florida women, all known for their resourcefulness and a touch of the wild side,” Gone’s prologue describes

White’s new heroine. She first meets Doc Ford in an early White novel, Captiva.

Readers can get a personalized, autographed copy of Gone at Doc Ford’s Sanibel on both Sunday and Monday over Labor Day weekend from noon until 2 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. White will be on hand at Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille Fort Myers Beach during the same time slots on Monday, Sept. 24.

“We’re expecting a great crowd for the introductory signing,” says Doc Ford’s co-owner Marty Harrity. “Randy has such a huge fan base, and our fun staff, tasty rum drinks, and great food always make

it a festive island event.”

Doc Ford’s Sanibel Rum Bar & Grille is located at 975 Rabbit Road on Sanibel; the Fort Myers Beach restaurant is at 708 Fisherman’s Wharf. For more information, visit www.randywaynewhite.com

and www.docfords.com

Island Sun (August 31, 2012)

Trolleys On Display At Sanibel Public Library

On display at the Sanibel Public Library is a collection of a few of the many electric trolley models, both O- and HO-scale, built by Jim Anholt over the years. He and other train and trolley hobbyists who became members of the Electric Railway Club of Florida – including Jim Pickens of Sanibel and former islanders Al Dobbs and Bruce Frazier – met weekly to create towns, landscapes and many trolley and

train assemblages.

The trolleys on display include models that Anholt hand-built from scratch out of balsa wood as well as some kit models.  The trolleys ran on overhead wires on the displays, as they did on city streets. The

trolley poles used to connect to the overhead wire were modeled after the original poles used in the various cities. Thepaint schemes also represent various city transportation systems. The small green

HO-scale water wagon and street sweeper at the front of the case are modeled after the Philadelphia Transit Company (PTC). The PTC was required to clean the streets on which they ran their trolleys.

Jim and Betty Anholt owned and operated the Sanibel Transit Co., Inc., known familiarly as the Sanibel Trolley, for 17 years on the island. The Sanibel Trolley was the first modern trolley operation in Lee County, and its success encouraged Lee County to initiate its current trolley system on Fort Myers Beach. 

The three Sanibel trolleys ran a transportation route on both Sanibel and Captiva, and later added a tour route due to popular demand. As an homage to Sanibel Island and his former business, one of the models displays a number of advertising signs on its sides for island businesses. The signs were photographed and minimized by Jim Pickens, owner of the former Photo Sanibel.

Learn more about trolleys by checking out a book on the subject from the library, including Playing With Trains by Sam Posey; The World Encyclopedia of Locomotives by Colin Garratt; N Scale Model Railroading, Getting Started In The Hobby by Marty McGuirk and The Trolley Guide to Sanibel & Captiva Islands by Betty Anholt.

Island Sun (August 31, 2012)

Fla.’s housing market continues positive track in July 2012

www.teampetel.com Providing you with up to date housing information! Now is the time to buy or sell! Contact John Petel today at 239-560-4960

ORLANDO, Fla. – Aug. 22, 2012 – Pending sales, closed sales and median prices rose, while the inventory of homes and condos for sale dropped in Florida’s housing market in July, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®.

“Florida’s real estate recovery is on solid ground,” said 2012 Florida Realtors President Summer Greene, regional manager of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Florida 1st in Fort Lauderdale. “Since May 2011, pending sales have increased every month for both existing single-family homes and for townhome-condo properties. In July, pending sales were up more than 42 percent for existing single-family homes and 26 percent for townhouse-condo units, compared to a year ago. Home prices are on the rise in many markets, while the inventory of homes for sale is down. Florida’s housing market is growing stronger and stronger.”

Pending sales refer to contracts that are signed but not yet completed or closed; closed sales typically occur 30 to 90 days after sales contracts are written.

Statewide closed sales of existing single-family homes totaled 17,420 in July, up 9.8 percent compared to the year-ago figure, according to data from Florida Realtors Industry Data and Analysis department and vendor partner 10K Research and Marketing. The statewide median sales price for single-family existing homes last month was $148,000, up 7.8 percent from July 2011.

According to the National Association of Realtors® (NAR), the national median sales price for existing single-family homes in June 2012 was $190,100, up 8 percent from the previous year. In California, the statewide median sales price for single-family existing homes in June was $320,540; in Massachusetts, it was $325,000; in Maryland, it was $268,910; and in New York, it was $220,000.

The median is the midpoint; half the homes sold for more, half for less. Housing industry analysts note that sales of foreclosures and other distressed properties continue to downwardly distort the median price because they generally sell at a discount relative to traditional homes.

Looking at Florida’s year-to-year comparison for sales of townhomes/condos, a total of 7,779 units sold statewide last month, up 2.8 percent from those sold in July 2011. The statewide median for townhome-condo properties was $102,000, up 10.9 percent over the previous year. NAR reported the national median existing condo price in June 2012 was $183,200.

Last month, the inventory for single-family homes stood at a 5.3-months’ supply; inventory for townhome-condo properties was at a 5.4-months’ supply, according to Florida Realtors. Industry analysts note that 5.5-months’ supply symbolizes a market balanced between buyers and sellers.

“We really need to recognize that over the past year, we have seen a market reversal, from a clear buyers’ market to a neutral market to one that is verging on a sellers’ market,” said Florida Realtors Chief Economist Dr. John Tuccillo. “This is a precursor to price growth. Our MLS (Multiple Listing Service) numbers confirm this in that both median and average prices have been trending up. Florida Realtors’ soon-to-be-launched price index, based on all sales, is showing the same sort of behavior in that price drops ended in 2009 and are now showing signs of moving up.”

The interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.55 percent in July 2012 – significantly lower than the 4.55 percent average during the same month a year earlier, according to Freddie Mac.

To see the full statewide housing activity report, go to Florida Realtors website at www.floridarealtors.org, and click on the Research page; then look under Latest Housing Data, Statewide Residential Activity and get the July report. Or go to Florida Realtors Media Center at http://media.floridarealtors.org/ and download the July 2012 data report PDF under Market Data at: http://media.floridarealtors.org/market-data.

We're Mobile!

Did you know you can access the Team Petel website anywhere? Just type in our website address www.teampetel.com on your Smartphone and you'll be taken directly to our mobile friendly site! Need even more while you're away? You can still access the full site as well. Now you can take us anywhere you go!

Need info call? Call John Petel at 239-560-4960 or CLICK HERE to access the Team Petel website.

Happy Labor Day!

From John Petel and his team, 

Have a Safe & Happy Labor Day!

Summer might be ending up North, but things are just heating up in Southwest Florida. Take the plunge and call John Petel today at 239-560-4960 to discuss buying your dream home in sunny Florida!

Visit our website by clicking here - Team Petel

Finishing Touches Being Put On ‘Ding’ Documentary

by Jeff Lysiak

The countdown to the official first screening of the film America’s Darling – a documentary about the life and impact of legendary editorial cartoonist, wildlife conservationist and former Sanibel and Captiva Island visitor Jay Norwood “Ding” Darling – is under way.

Scheduled to debut during “Ding” Darling Days at the JN “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge in October, America’s Darling will share the incredible history of Darling (1876-1962), the Des Moines Register editorial cartoonist who influenced readers through his syndicated cartoons, creating awareness of urgent environmental issues and the need to preserve America’s natural landscapes.

During the three years he has spent working on the film, producer Sam Koltinsky travelled across the country – from Florida and West Virginia to Michigan, Washington, DC and Iowa – gathering valuable biographical information and poring through documents, cartoons and other archived Darling treasures.

This spring, Koltinsky and his Marvo Entertainment Group team spent more than a month in Southwest Florida, filming several segments to be included in the 60-minute documentary at BIG ARTS, the refuge and at Darling’s former winter retreat – the Fish House, built in 1942 – on Captiva.

But since then, work on America’s Darling hasn’t begun to slow down.

“I left Sanibel and Captiva and went almost directly to Des Moines,” Koltinsky said last week. “We were able to visit Darling’s former home, capture a number of interviews related to Ding’s time in Iowa as well as to secure Iowa’s portion of our project’s funding goal. In addition, we have been building contacts and establishing dates for the show’s premieres around the country.”

Earlier this month, the Marvo team was back on the islands, completing additional filming at the refuge

as well as in the studio. Among the participants were Chris Steffen, the great-great grandson of Darling;

Jefferson Jones, a Lehigh Acres teen who has won the Florida Junior Duck Stamp competition for the past three years; Toni Westland, supervisory refuge ranger; and Jason Kalajainen, creative director of The Robert Rauschenberg Foundation’s artist residency program.

“Chris (Steffen) did a wonderful job at the WGCU studio, with whom we have been partnering,” said

Koltinsky. “We filmed Chris with a number of artifacts that I have been collecting from around the country, most of which have never been seen by the public. No, I am not giving any clues to what they are. However, I promise lots of ‘wows’ from the audience!”

Steffen, 17, explained that he enjoyed both of his visits to the islands this year, especially when he and his family were able to visit the Fish House for the first time back in March. Of course, being a vital part of the documentary is also exciting.

“Before all of this started, I really had no idea how much interest in my great-great grandfather’s work was out there,” said Steffen, who lives in Temple, Texas. “Grandpa Kip (Koss) always told us stories about him, but not too many kids my age know too much about him.”

One of the treasures that Koltinsky uncovered during his research for the film was an original printer’s plateof the farewell cartoon drawn by “Ding” Darling in early 1962. Both Steffen and Jones were thrilled to see the artifact in person while visiting the refuge recently.

“One of my aunts (Jennifer Graham) used to talk about that printer’s plate all the time,” added Steffen,

who will serve as the on-camera host for the film. “I think she was pretty jealous that I got to see it – and

hold it – in person. It’s one of his best known works.”

Jones, 17, would like to pursue a career – much like Darling himself – working in cooperation with wildlife, as an artist.

“I get a lot of my ideas just walking around, observing wildlife,” said Jones. “I usually do my own sketches, but I’d like to develop my photography skills. I prefer to work from my own experiences rather than from somebody else’s images. I think that it adds to a painting when it feels more personal to you.”

According to Koltinsky, America’s Darling will be completed in time for “Ding” Darling Days. In fact, the

film is scheduled to be screened at 1 p.m. on Friday, October 19 at the refuge’s Education Center.

“In fact, I was able to meet with Dr. John McCabe, Mike Mullins and Paul Tritaik this past week, discussing some of the artifacts in the show as well as the upcoming premiere,” said Koltinsky. “You know that the JN “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge has been, from the very beginning, key to the inspiration on which our project has been built. I am very thankful for not only their vision in helping to make this a reality, but also the wonderful people that ‘inhabit’ Sanibel and Captiva.”

After several years dedicated to this project, Koltinsky pointed out that never has one person’s life affected and inspired him as much as “Ding” Darling has done.

“I have had the honor to meet some of the best that this planet has to offer – from historians, conservationists, preservationists, artists, cartoonists, friends of Darling to our wonderful Junior Duck Stamp winners across the country,” he added. “These people and organizations, to me, are the true testimonies to Darling’s legacy.”

And, as one might expect, Steffen is eager to see the finished film.

“I’m interested in seeing some of the historians and hearing what they say about my great-great grandfather,” he said. “My whole life, I grew up hearing stories told by my family about him, but I think it will be cool to hear how other people view him, his work and his accomplishments.”

Island Sun (August, 24, 2012)

Around The Islands With Anne

Chiropractic Couple Open For Business On Sanibel; Banner Pools At Your Service

Husbandand-wife chiropractors Dr. Greg Walsh and Dr. Jaclyn Walsh want potential patients to know

that they can be treated without any of the “popping and cracking” that is often associated with their profession.

That’s just the gases in the joints being released, explained Dr. Jaclyn Walsh.

She and her husband recently opened Sanibel Chiropractic, purchasing the business from Dr. Michael

Tolisano.

She acknowleged that some people actually like to hear the sounds because it makes them feel as though the joint-alignment process is working – but with modern instruments, there’s no need for it. “It doesn’t take that much force to get a bone to move,” she noted.

Others are afraid to go because they think it will hurt or “that they will be twisted into a pretzel,” in Dr. Greg Walsh’s words.

The Walshes use gun-type instruments that send painless pulses to the specific areas being treated. The instruments are more accurate than the hands, they say, and help make the patient feel more relaxed.

Another helpful piece of equipment is the upright treatment table that tilts the patient into the correct position. It requires no straddling of a bench or climbing onto a table.

The Walshes moved here from Paducah, Kentucky, where they practiced together with Jaclyn’s uncle. When they were ready to strike out on their own, Florida was top of the list.

Our practice will be focusing on delivering specific, gentle treatment through instrument adjusting,” said Dr. Greg Walsh. They accept walk-ins.

Since opening their new business, they have introduced a new, lower price list with family plan incentives and added new features such as HydroMassage, which is already becoming a favorite. It consists of a soft padded “table” atop a large tub of water. You can control the intensity and location of the massage on a touch screen to manipulate the water jets. Once settled in, you can listen to music or play interactive games on the screen.

If you’d like to try it, stop in. The price is $1 per minute for patients (with the first 10 minutes free for new patients), $2 per minute for non-patients. Buy nine massages and get the 10th free. Choose as few as 10 minutes or as long as an hour.

The HydroMassage works whether you want a gentle, relaxing massage or an intense one that focuses on a specific area.

“People who work on the island don’t have much time and they get stressed out,” said Dr. Greg Walsh.

Also, some people don’t enjoy the hands-on treatment of a therapist and they don’t like to take off their clothes, or perhaps they want more control of the massage, he added.

He considers massaging the soft tissues a logical addition to the chiropractic treatments, which focus on joints and the nervous system.

Greg Walsh graduated from Sherman College of Straight Chiropractic in Spartanburg, South Carolina. He attended the Ohio State University and completed his Bachelor of Science degree from Excelsior College.

Jaclyn Walsh earned her doctor of chiropractic degree from Sherman College of

Chiropractic in 2009.

Sanibel Chiropractic is open Monday through Saturday, Sunday by appointment, at 1456 Periwinkle Way, Suite C. For more information or to make an appointment, call 472-0900.

If you have a pool, you will know that this time of year, more maintenance is required. The summer rains, high temperatures and increased use add up to the need for extra chemicals and, perhaps, repairs.

Banner Pool Service has been in business on the islands for many years doing service and repair. A couple of years ago, Banner opened a store in Anchor Point shopping center to supply all your needs – everything from pool toys to pumps, filters and complete packages, including salt systems.

And here’s a neat service: the store has demonstration units for salt pools to show customers and

introduce the concept or troubleshoot with them.

Owner David Liebetrau said pool owners noticing cloudy water and a filmy substance on the surface should check for whitefly. Infestations are rife right now, especially in species such as ficus, gumbo

limbo, strangler figs and schefflera. The flies produce a waxy debris that falls into pools and also clogs up

filters.

Liebetrau said your pool company can’t deal with it – you have to consult your landscaper.

Banner Pool is 1633 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, phone 472-4100.

LIVE ON THE ISLANDS

The Crow’s Nest at ’Tween Waters Inn will feature Bad Banditos on Friday and Saturday from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. The Crow’s Nest is at 15951 Captiva Drive, phone 472-5161.

Traditions on the Beach at the Island Inn has live entertainment most nights. This week’s lineup includes: Friday, dancing to Joe McCormick and singer Barbara Smith; Saturday, Joe McCormick and singer Marvilla Marzan; Wednesday and Thursday, dancing to Joe McCormick with popular favorites and

smooth vocal stylings, R&B, jazz and pop. Traditions is at 3111 West Gulf Drive, phone 472-4559.

Sweet Melissa’s Caféfeatures Michael David playing light acoustic background music Wednesday through Saturday from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sweet Melissa’s is at 1625 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, phone 472-1956.

George & Wendy’s Sanibel Seafood Grille has live entertainment as follows: Friday, August 24, Anthony

Wayne; Thursday, Karaoke. The restaurant is at 2499 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, phone 395-1263.

The Jacaranda has entertainment nightly from 7 to 11 p.m. On Friday and Saturday, various artists are featured. On Sunday, it’s Jamaica “Dave” & Co., reggae and dance; Monday, Renata, jazz, contemporary music and dance; Tuesday, Steve “Scooter” Reynolds, accoustic guitar, contemporary music and dance; Wednesday, Buckeye Ken, contemporary, Top 40 and blues; Thursday, 2 Hot, contemporary, reggae and dance. The Jacaranda is at 1223 Periwinkle Way, phone 472-1771.

The Mucky Duck on Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva, features music by Mark Dupuy on Mondays; Rich Lancaster, Wednesdays; Gene Federico, Thursdays and Saturdays; and Buckeye Ken, Fridays.

The Island Cow on Periwinkle Way has live entertainment on Friday with Dan Confrey; Saturday, Diana Lynn; and Sunday, Buckeye Ken. Phone 472-0606.

RC Otter’s, 11506 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva, has live music daily with dining inside and out, phone 395-1142.

Keylime Bistro features live music days and nights seven days a week. New to the line-up is Ken Limeri playing jazz sax from 6 to 10 p.m. every Tuesday. The bistro is at 11509 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva, phone 395-4000.

Island Sun (August 24, 2012)