CBS developing 'Doc Ford' novels into television series

November 27, 2013

By MCKENZIE CASSIDY (mcassidy@breezenewspapers.com) , Island Reporter, Captiva Current, Sanibel-Captiva Islander

Doc Ford, the NSA-agent turned marine biologist created by island author Randy Wayne White, is not only the inspiration for over 20 novels, three Southwest Florida restaurants, and loads of fan merchandise, but now it looks as if Doc Ford might get his own network series.

Producers from CBS have started developing a "Doc Ford" series based on White's New York Times-bestselling novels.

Chris Gerolmo was reportedly hired to write the adaptation and produce the show alongside Jeffrey Kramer. Gerolmo is known for the 1988 film "Mississippi Burning," starring Gene Hackman and Willem Dafoe, the 2013 television series "The Bridge," about two detectives working to find a serial killer on the Texas-Chihuahua border, and the 2005 Iraq War series "Over There."

The negotiations between White's agents and CBS TV Studios lasted more than six months, he said, because he was waiting until they found the perfect writer to bring Doc Ford to the screen.

"CBS really stepped up to the plate and came up with a great writer, Chris Gerolmo. He is really a very good writer and that was key to me to be able to do this," said White.

White said he also wanted to make sure his partners at Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille were on board before he agreed to the deal.

"It's very exciting and my partners at the Doc Ford's restaurant, Marty Harrity and Mark Marinello, are all for it and they are excited," said White.

Although he isn't sure whether he will be directly involved with the series, White said he will do whatever he's asked to do to make it a success.

The pilot should be finished by next fall so Doc Ford fans can mark their calendars for the premiere.

A new Doc Ford novel, "Bone Deep" is also scheduled for release in April 2014. It's set in Central Florida's "Bone Valley," known for a black market of illegal artifacts and fossils, and a multi-million dollar phosphate industry. The plot of "Bone Deep," like his other books, will be interwoven with information about Florida's unique history and ecosystem.

White will also embark on a book tour for "Bone Deep," taking him across the state and country.

For more information on Randy Wayne White, visit randywaynewhite.com.

https://www.captivasanibel.com/page/content.detail/id/522838/CBS-developing--Doc-Ford--novels-into-television-series.html?nav=5051

Bank of America to pay Freddie Mac $404 million

WASHINGTON – Dec. 3, 2013 – Bank of America on Monday said it has agreed to pay Freddie Mac $404 million to settle remaining claims over soured home loans the bank sold to the mortgage giant, marking the bank’s latest attempt to put its mortgage woes behind it.

The Charlotte bank said the accord means it has resolved all outstanding mortgage-repurchase claims with government-controlled Freddie and its sister institution, Fannie Mae. At the end of September, Bank of America had $1.4 billion in outstanding mortgage repurchase requests from Freddie, the most of any bank.

Bank of America said the agreement resolves all requests to buy back defective mortgages sold to Freddie from Jan. 1, 2000, to Dec. 31, 2009. The bank said the cost of the settlement is covered by its existing reserves.

Freddie and Fannie buy home loans from lenders and package them into mortgage-backed securities. Fannie and Freddie, which were taken over by the U.S. government in 2008, have asked banks to buy back or reimburse losses related to mortgages that went bad or did not meet agreed-upon requirements.

Monday’s agreement marks the second deal stemming from the financial crisis involving Bank of America and Freddie over home loans sold to the mortgage giant. The first, reached in December 2010, resolved mortgage repurchase claims involving loans sold by Countrywide Financial Corp. through 2008. Monday’s agreement involves loans originated by Bank of America, not Countrywide.

Bank of America acquired Countrywide in 2008.

Monday’s agreement releases Bank of America from the obligation to repurchase 716,000 loans, Freddie Mac said. The deal gives Bank of America credit for $13 million it has already paid Freddie, including for prior loan repurchases, resulting in a net payment of $391 million.

The latest agreement does not cover loan servicing obligations, loans packaged into bonds by other securitizers and disclosure-related claims, the bank said.

Monday’s deal adds to more than $40 billion in legal costs Bank of America has incurred stemming from the crisis. At an investor conference in New York last month, Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan said the bank still has “work to do on litigation.”

In one pending lawsuit, filed by the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Bank of America is being accused of misrepresentation on mortgage-backed securities that were sold to Fannie and Freddie and resulted in losses to the two agencies when the mortgages went into default. In October, FHFA announced a $5.1 billion settlement with JPMorgan over mortgages and mortgage-backed securities the company sold to Fannie and Freddie.

Bloomberg News has reported that Bank of America could face a $6 billion settlement to resolve the FHFA lawsuit. No settlement has been announced.

In a separate case, Bank of America is still waiting to learn whether its proposed $8.5 billion settlement with investors who bought mortgage bonds issued by Countrywide Financial will be approved. The proposal is in a judge’s hands in New York.

Monday’s accord is not the largest settlement amount the bank has paid Freddie. In the December 2010 deal, the bank paid Freddie $1.28 billion and Fannie $1.34 billion. In January, the bank entered into an agreement with Fannie over home loans originated and sold to Fannie from Jan. 1, 2000, to Dec. 31, 2008, by Countrywide and Bank of America. Under that agreement, the bank paid $3.6 billion to Fannie and $6.6 billion to buy back loans sold to Fannie.

David Hilder, an analyst with Drexel Hamilton, said Monday it’s hard to estimate how much in legal expenses stemming from mortgage claims Bank of America will ultimately face.

“My own feeling is that I think they’re more than halfway done in settling the entire range of mortgage-related litigation claims,” he said. “Even BofA’s own numbers would suggest that they’re at least 80 percent done.”

Bank of America shares were down less than a percentage point Monday, closing at $15.73.

http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/article.cfm?id=300040

New mortgage rules have some wiggle room

NEW YORK – Dec. 3, 2013 – Wells Fargo, J.P. Morgan Chase, Bank of America and Citigroup will probably issue some mortgage loans that don’t meet the definition of a qualified mortgage (QM).

The new gold-standard lending definition – part of sweeping mortgage regulations set to take effect next month – allows banks to show that they’ve met all the new requirements created to ensure that borrowers can afford their mortgages.

However, lenders aren’t barred from making loans that fall outside the QM rules. They simply could face a greater legal liability on other loans.

The rules should keep lending standards fairly conservative, but most consumers shouldn’t notice any major changes because “many lenders are already acting as if the rule is in place,” according to Michael Fratantoni, vice president for research at the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Big banks will likely limit the nonconforming loans to wealthy clients.

http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/article.cfm?id=300051

City of Sanibel: Keep 2012 Hurricane Re-entry Pass for 2014

December 2, 2013

Special to the Reporter (sancapnews@breezenewspapers.com) , Island Reporter, Captiva Current, Sanibel-Captiva Islander

The 2013 hurricane season came to an end on Nov. 30. In the city's continuing efforts to reduce costs, it's not issuing new Hurricane Reentry Passes in 2014, but is honoring the passes issued in 2012 and 2013.

Below are the valid pass types for the 2014 hurricane season:

RESIDENTIAL - ORANGE

COMMERCIAL - BLUE

Important information about re-entry passes:

Purpose: The pass aids security, speeds re-entry, and provides traffic control at a time when we must keep traffic to a minimum. The pass allows persons in a vehicle to return to perform property damage assessment.

Pass Limits: To meet the purposes of security, re-entry and traffic control - (Residential) a strict limit of one (1) pass per address - (Commercial) businesses will be issued only enough commercial passes to facilitate the damage assessment process, ordinarily one (1) pass.

Pass Holders Responsibility: Due to the security aspects of the pass, all persons issued a pass are responsible to ensure their pass does not fall into the wrong or irresponsible hands.

Lost/Destroyed Passes: In the unusual event we have to evacuate, people without a pass can return with proper credentials. Access via credentialing is slower, so it's recommended every household get a pass and take care of it.

Pass Expiration: The city makes an independent decision each year whether to re-use passes or issue new ones. There will be press releases and emails when the decision is made. Keep your pass until you know it is no longer valid.

For questions about hurricane passes or preparedness please refer to the Emergency Management section of the city website, or call the Sanibel Police Department at 472-3111.

https://www.captivasanibel.com/page/content.detail/id/522854/City-of-Sanibel--Keep-2012-Hurricane-Re-entry-Pass-for-2014.html?nav=5051

Sanibel Luminary is Tonight!

Enjoy a wonderful evening at Annual Sanibel Luminary Festival Tonight! Enjoy food, drinks, music and friendship throughout Periwinkle Way.

Make sure you head to Captiva Saturday for the Golf Cart Parade and all the Captiva Luminary events!

'Tis the season: Island packed full of holiday themed events

November 27, 2013

By MCKENZIE CASSIDY (mcassidy@breezenewspapers.com) , Island Reporter, Captiva Current, Sanibel-Captiva Islander

Sanibel and Captiva Islands are known for their world class beaches, fishing, and outdoor recreation, but the island also hosts some of the most unique and popular holiday events in Southwest Florida.

Visitors from the mainland participate in old-fashioned holiday events like tree lightings, singing carols, and hayrides within the island's uniquely "small-town" atmosphere, as well as new twists on old traditions, including luminaries, lighted boat parades, golf cart parades, and a Mullet March.

The festivities kick-off after Thanksgiving with the 29th Annual Luminary Festival Weekend, hosted by the Sanibel and Captiva Chamber of Commerce, and the community-led Holiday Village on Captiva Island.

During the luminary, volunteers from the Sanibel Captiva Lions Club place hundreds of white bags, filled with sand and containing a lit candle, along Periwinkle Way. Island businesses open their doors with refreshments, music, special holiday sales, and even visits from Santa Claus. The Sanibel Community Church also hosts a live nativity scene.

It's suggested that visitors park wherever there is space and use trollys that will pick up passengers at nine different stops. The chamber will produce a trifold with details about where to board the trollys and what special events are being hosted along Periwinkle Way.

"Luminary Festival Weekend is the one time a year that the entire island community comes together to celebrate the season and we are delighted to be able to help bring light to our amazing island family during the holidays," said Ric Base, president of the Sanibel and Captiva Chamber of Commerce.

The Fourth Annual Captiva Holiday Village begins after Thanksgiving with tree lightings at 'Tween Waters Inn and the South Seas Island Resort. Holiday Village events have grown so popular that a production crew from the Travel Channel's "Xtreme Xmas" filmed the golf cart parade last year.

Locals decorate golf carts with decorations, lights, garland, hats, stuffed animals and even plastic flamingos, and the drivers wear over-the-top outfits. Awards are given for the best decorated golf carts and proceeds benefit the Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation.

"This was such a great opportunity to bring our quirky island festivities to the world," said 2012 Golf Cart Parade Chair Denice Beggs. "This parade is such a unique and fun event for locals to be involved in. The competition has really increased, and many participants plan their decorations a year in advance."

Holiday Village events are scheduled throughout the entire month of December, ranging from holiday strolls at South Seas where guests can access the resort's grounds and marina for lights, entertainment, and arts and crafts, to a lighted boat parade in the evening.

"There's something for everyone to enjoy, from live entertainment to arts and crafts, games, S'mores, and of course old St. Nick," said Dorothy Fitzgerald, an island resident and chair of the Holiday Stroll. "This holiday stroll is sure to become a new holiday tradition for families.

Proceeds from the South Seas Holiday Strolls benefit the Golisano Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida.

For more information or a complete schedule of events: Visit the chamber's website at sanibel-captiva.org to learn about the 29th Annual Luminary Festival Weekend and captivaholidayvillage.com to learn about the Captiva Holiday Village.

https://www.captivasanibel.com/page/content.detail/id/522840/-Tis-the-season--Island-packed-full-of-holiday-themed-events.html?nav=5051

Sanibel Luminary Festival – 2013

Date: December 6, 2013 Time: 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM

Event Description

The Chamber is proud to host its 29th annual Luminary Festival on Sanibel and Captiva Islands Friday, December 6th on Sanibel and Saturday, December 7th on Captiva. Luminary Festival is a community-wide holiday event that brings together residents, visitors, businesses and organizations, promoting goodwill and community spirit. Some of our visitors make early hotel reservations especially for the event.

As you "travel the trail", look for the many fun places to stop and enjoy. There will be a  complimentary trolley service, Santa visits, photos with Santa, a live nativity scene, music and activities for the entire family.

Our goal is to offer recognition to Island businesses and encourage local shopping while providing a fun-filled evening for family and friends. All Chamber merchants are invited to participate and show off their creative decorated storefronts and host holiday celebrations at their center.

http://sanibel-island.sanibel-captiva.org/Events/details/sanibel-luminary-festival-2012-6751