The road to Paradise, just add You.
What happens on Sanibel & Captiva is broadcast on The Coconut Telegraph.
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Rauschenberg exhibit to celebrate artist's birthday
Florida SouthWestern State College and lead sponsor Finemark National Bank & Trust announce the first solo exhibition of world renowned artist Robert Rauschenberg since his memorial at the Bob Rauschenberg Gallery in 2008 and the first installation in the more than a decade of his monumental 100 ft.-long Chinese Summerhall (1984) photograph.
Rauschenberg: China/America Mix is the artist's sixteenth one-man show at the College (since the Gallery was founded in 1979) and celebrates the 10-year anniversary of the Gallery's renaming and dedication in his honor.
The Rauschenberg: China/America Mix exhibition will open to the public from 7-9 p.m. on Bob Rauschenberg's Oct. 22 birthday, with musical performances by longtime friends Dickie Landry, Kat Epple and Sonic Combine.
Rauschenberg was born in 1925 and spent his most productive years at his Captiva studio.
A pre-opening lecture on "Rauschenberg in China" will be presented from 6-7 p.m. by distinguished guest, Dr. Donald Saff (founder of USF's Graphicstudio and Artistic Director of Rauschenberg Overseas Culture Interchange/ROCI).
Widely acknowledged as one of the most important artists of the 20th century, Rauschenberg is credited with pioneering the transition from European modernism to American pop art and was a local Lee County resident for nearly four decades. His effect still looms large around the globe, but this is particularly evident in China. Inspired by his 1982 visit to Jing Xian and his work at the ancient Xuan Paper Mill on his 7 [Chinese] Characters collages (included in this exhibition), Rauschenberg returned to China in 1985 to mount his Rauschenberg Overseas Culture Interchange (ROCI) exhibition at the National Gallery in Beijing.
Open to the public for less than three weeks, Rauschenberg's ROCI/China show attracted more than 300,000 visitors and is still considered a seminal cultural event. To this day, the most recognized Chinese artists acknowledge his great influence and broader impact in describing art in China "before and after Rauschenberg."
These events are open to the public, free of charge. The first-come, first-served seating for the 6 p.m. lecture is limited. For additional information call 239-489-9313 or visit RauschebergGallery.com/Facebook
SOURCE: Sanibel-Captiva Islander
Rauschenberg: China/America Mix is the artist's sixteenth one-man show at the College (since the Gallery was founded in 1979) and celebrates the 10-year anniversary of the Gallery's renaming and dedication in his honor.
The Rauschenberg: China/America Mix exhibition will open to the public from 7-9 p.m. on Bob Rauschenberg's Oct. 22 birthday, with musical performances by longtime friends Dickie Landry, Kat Epple and Sonic Combine.
Rauschenberg was born in 1925 and spent his most productive years at his Captiva studio.
A pre-opening lecture on "Rauschenberg in China" will be presented from 6-7 p.m. by distinguished guest, Dr. Donald Saff (founder of USF's Graphicstudio and Artistic Director of Rauschenberg Overseas Culture Interchange/ROCI).
Widely acknowledged as one of the most important artists of the 20th century, Rauschenberg is credited with pioneering the transition from European modernism to American pop art and was a local Lee County resident for nearly four decades. His effect still looms large around the globe, but this is particularly evident in China. Inspired by his 1982 visit to Jing Xian and his work at the ancient Xuan Paper Mill on his 7 [Chinese] Characters collages (included in this exhibition), Rauschenberg returned to China in 1985 to mount his Rauschenberg Overseas Culture Interchange (ROCI) exhibition at the National Gallery in Beijing.
Open to the public for less than three weeks, Rauschenberg's ROCI/China show attracted more than 300,000 visitors and is still considered a seminal cultural event. To this day, the most recognized Chinese artists acknowledge his great influence and broader impact in describing art in China "before and after Rauschenberg."
These events are open to the public, free of charge. The first-come, first-served seating for the 6 p.m. lecture is limited. For additional information call 239-489-9313 or visit RauschebergGallery.com/Facebook
SOURCE: Sanibel-Captiva Islander
Monday, October 13, 2014
Mortgage rates down for third straight week
WASHINGTON (AP) - Oct. 10, 2014 - Average U.S. Mortgage rates fell for the third straight week, making it more affordable to borrow money to buy a home.
Mortgage company Freddie Mac said Thursday that the nationwide average for a 30-year loan fell to 4.12 percent from 4.19 percent last week. The average for a 15-year mortgage, a popular choice for people who are refinancing, also declined to 3.3 percent from 3.36 percent.
The 30-year rate is down from 4.53 percent at the start of the year.
Rates have fallen even though the Federal Reserve appears set at the end of this month to end its monthly bond purchases, which are intended to keep long-term borrowing rates low. Yet Fed officials have indicated that they will continue to hold shorter-term rates at near zero levels unit there are signs of rising inflation.
Fed actions often influence the yield on the 10-year Treasury note, which affects mortgage rates. The 10-year note was trading at 2.32 percent at midday Thursday, down sharply from 2.41 percent a week earlier.
Mortgage rates are falling as the housing market has cooled off. Average price growth has slowed rising just 6.4 percent in August compared with a year ago, according to real estate data provider CoreLogic. That's down from annual average grains of as much 12 percent toward the end of last year.
Similarly, sales of existing homes also declined in August. Fewer investors bought properties, and first-time buyers have yet to return to the market, according to the National Association of Realtors.
Sales of new homes shot up in August, yet it remains below historic average, according to Commerce Department data.
To calculate average mortgage rates, Freddie Mac surveys lenders across the country between Monday and Wednesday each week. The average doesn't include extra fees, known as points, which most borrowers must pay to get the lowest rates. One point equals 1 percent of the loan amount.
The average fee for a 30-year mortgage rose to 0.5 point from 0.4 point last week. The fee for a 15-year mortgage remained at 0.5 point.
The average rate on a five-year adjustable-rate mortgage fell to 3.05 percent from 3.06 percent. The fee stayed at 0.5 percent.
For a one-year ARM, the average rate was unchanged at 2.42 percent. The fee held at 0.4 point.
Source: Florida Realtors
Mortgage company Freddie Mac said Thursday that the nationwide average for a 30-year loan fell to 4.12 percent from 4.19 percent last week. The average for a 15-year mortgage, a popular choice for people who are refinancing, also declined to 3.3 percent from 3.36 percent.
The 30-year rate is down from 4.53 percent at the start of the year.
Rates have fallen even though the Federal Reserve appears set at the end of this month to end its monthly bond purchases, which are intended to keep long-term borrowing rates low. Yet Fed officials have indicated that they will continue to hold shorter-term rates at near zero levels unit there are signs of rising inflation.
Fed actions often influence the yield on the 10-year Treasury note, which affects mortgage rates. The 10-year note was trading at 2.32 percent at midday Thursday, down sharply from 2.41 percent a week earlier.
Mortgage rates are falling as the housing market has cooled off. Average price growth has slowed rising just 6.4 percent in August compared with a year ago, according to real estate data provider CoreLogic. That's down from annual average grains of as much 12 percent toward the end of last year.
Similarly, sales of existing homes also declined in August. Fewer investors bought properties, and first-time buyers have yet to return to the market, according to the National Association of Realtors.
Sales of new homes shot up in August, yet it remains below historic average, according to Commerce Department data.
To calculate average mortgage rates, Freddie Mac surveys lenders across the country between Monday and Wednesday each week. The average doesn't include extra fees, known as points, which most borrowers must pay to get the lowest rates. One point equals 1 percent of the loan amount.
The average fee for a 30-year mortgage rose to 0.5 point from 0.4 point last week. The fee for a 15-year mortgage remained at 0.5 point.
The average rate on a five-year adjustable-rate mortgage fell to 3.05 percent from 3.06 percent. The fee stayed at 0.5 percent.
For a one-year ARM, the average rate was unchanged at 2.42 percent. The fee held at 0.4 point.
Source: Florida Realtors
Sunday, October 12, 2014
The controlled wildness of Sanibel, Captiva islands
Michael Billheimer hands me a jar of strawberry preserves as I leave his Lighthouse Cafe. "It's just a little taste of our island for you to take home," he said. Now THAT'S hospitality. The Lighthouse Cafe on Periwinkle Way on Sanibel Island is reputedly home to the best whole wheat blueberry pancakes in Southwest Florida. The cafe is small and cozy, and every available wall space is clad with framed photos or drawings of lighthouses from around the world, most of them sent by fulfilled customers. Just down the road, and by the beach fronting Gulf of Mexico, is the beacon of Sanibel, an authentic lighthouse - a landmark since 1884 when the entire island was a nature preserve.
The lingering "taste" I have of Sanibel Island and its smaller sister island, Captiva, is complex. There's a controlled wildness to it. On the one hand, the islands are spoltlessly clean; no buildings taller than the tallest palm tree; the roadways have no ruts; even the policemen who control the traffic (as there are no stoplights anywhere) are neat and courteous. Yet the mangroves, the beaches, the small inner islands are wild havens for multitudes of birds including white pelicans, alligators, tree crabs, dolphins and those permanently folded manatees. It's still a preserve, but accommodations have been made for humans: biking (on the 23-mile bike path), kayaking, sailing, swimming and sightseeing.
One evening I took a sunset cruise from McCarthy's Marina in Captiva. Just before the red ball dropped below the horizon, a trio of dolphins entertained us with their acrobatic leaps in the boat's wake. The eco-system in this part of Florida is so rich and so protected that most creatures thrive there with, dare I say, wild abandon.
Many of the two-legged creatures of the human persuasion who congregate along the seashore are searching for seashells in this world class seashell trove of over 400 varieties. If you can't find what you're looking for on the beach, the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum will satisfy all your mollusk and cephalopod cravings. (Positively no shucking allowed). They even have a computer with seashell recipes from all over the world that you can email to whomever you wish. (I sent a whole whack of them to friends.)
Down the road from the museum is the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife. This center offers a rare opportunity for visitors to witness the care for injured and orphaned wildlife. It's a great place for kids to play "vet" as they follow the cases of four animals from admission to release, live on video. From there I took a narrated tram tour of the J.N. "Ding" Darling Wildlife Refuge. Besides being one of the top bird-watching destinations in North America, I got a kick out of our well-informed and no-nonsense guide who, like an army squad leader, yelled out the Latin names of the critters we saw or were about to see from the horseshoe crab to the rare alligator sighting.
Charming arts and crafts stores dot the islands and cafes and bistros are a plenty. One morning I had breakfast in the sunshine at the Island Cow. If the Lighthouse Cafe was filled with photos, then the Cow practically mooed with its whimsical decorations and its "udderly" delicious menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. However, for hands-down most visually interesting restaurant to eat at The Bubble Room in Captiva. Three floors of nostalgia, a bizarre cross between Hollywood and Christmas. I happened to be ushered to a table where my eating buddies were pint-sized figures of W.C. Field, Laurel and Hardy, Frank Sinatra and that presidential actor, Ronald Reagan. The desserts are piled high and are larger than life. I chose a modest but delicious carrot cake, partially because it was the smallest offering of the evening. Even at that, I couldn't finish it and Laurel and Hardy weren't interested in helping me.
During my four-day stay, I came "home" every night to Casa Ybel Resort. This award-winning resort has catered to families since the 1890s. I lounged on my private screened-in porch, (part of my one-bedroom suite) overlooking the gulf, and dined at their Thistle Lodge. The food was superb and the atmosphere quiet and romantic. What else does a gal need for the last night of a charmed vacation?
Source: MSN Travel
The lingering "taste" I have of Sanibel Island and its smaller sister island, Captiva, is complex. There's a controlled wildness to it. On the one hand, the islands are spoltlessly clean; no buildings taller than the tallest palm tree; the roadways have no ruts; even the policemen who control the traffic (as there are no stoplights anywhere) are neat and courteous. Yet the mangroves, the beaches, the small inner islands are wild havens for multitudes of birds including white pelicans, alligators, tree crabs, dolphins and those permanently folded manatees. It's still a preserve, but accommodations have been made for humans: biking (on the 23-mile bike path), kayaking, sailing, swimming and sightseeing.
One evening I took a sunset cruise from McCarthy's Marina in Captiva. Just before the red ball dropped below the horizon, a trio of dolphins entertained us with their acrobatic leaps in the boat's wake. The eco-system in this part of Florida is so rich and so protected that most creatures thrive there with, dare I say, wild abandon.
Many of the two-legged creatures of the human persuasion who congregate along the seashore are searching for seashells in this world class seashell trove of over 400 varieties. If you can't find what you're looking for on the beach, the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum will satisfy all your mollusk and cephalopod cravings. (Positively no shucking allowed). They even have a computer with seashell recipes from all over the world that you can email to whomever you wish. (I sent a whole whack of them to friends.)
Down the road from the museum is the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife. This center offers a rare opportunity for visitors to witness the care for injured and orphaned wildlife. It's a great place for kids to play "vet" as they follow the cases of four animals from admission to release, live on video. From there I took a narrated tram tour of the J.N. "Ding" Darling Wildlife Refuge. Besides being one of the top bird-watching destinations in North America, I got a kick out of our well-informed and no-nonsense guide who, like an army squad leader, yelled out the Latin names of the critters we saw or were about to see from the horseshoe crab to the rare alligator sighting.
Charming arts and crafts stores dot the islands and cafes and bistros are a plenty. One morning I had breakfast in the sunshine at the Island Cow. If the Lighthouse Cafe was filled with photos, then the Cow practically mooed with its whimsical decorations and its "udderly" delicious menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. However, for hands-down most visually interesting restaurant to eat at The Bubble Room in Captiva. Three floors of nostalgia, a bizarre cross between Hollywood and Christmas. I happened to be ushered to a table where my eating buddies were pint-sized figures of W.C. Field, Laurel and Hardy, Frank Sinatra and that presidential actor, Ronald Reagan. The desserts are piled high and are larger than life. I chose a modest but delicious carrot cake, partially because it was the smallest offering of the evening. Even at that, I couldn't finish it and Laurel and Hardy weren't interested in helping me.
During my four-day stay, I came "home" every night to Casa Ybel Resort. This award-winning resort has catered to families since the 1890s. I lounged on my private screened-in porch, (part of my one-bedroom suite) overlooking the gulf, and dined at their Thistle Lodge. The food was superb and the atmosphere quiet and romantic. What else does a gal need for the last night of a charmed vacation?
Source: MSN Travel
Sunday, October 5, 2014
TODAY! Opening day of Sanibel's Farmer's Market - Sunday October 5th
Will we see you at the Sanibel Farmer's Market today?
Saturday, October 4, 2014
Don't fall victim to this most common remodeling mistake
There's a reason for the proverb "measure twice, cut once," and these pictures prove it. If you double check your measurements, you can avoid common, and sometimes costly, clearance mistakes.
CLICK HERE to read the full article and see some mistakes you can avoid!
Brought to you by John Petel, visit my website CLICK HERE
CLICK HERE to read the full article and see some mistakes you can avoid!
Brought to you by John Petel, visit my website CLICK HERE
Friday, October 3, 2014
Perfect Island Home Waiting for You!
You can have the best of both worlds! Ground level living in a remodeled, expansive floor plan featuring a cathedral ceiling in great room, updated kitchen and two separate master suites. This home includes almost 2,100 sq ft of air conditioned living space with 4 bedrooms and 3 baths. The large pool and spa area has a stamped concrete patio for lounging or parties overlooking preserve land for ultimate privacy. $598,800 CLICK HERE for more details
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