Island Life With Algae & A Holiday!

Here it is the beginning of a 3-day holiday weekend with things on Sanibel and Captiva Islands still looking a little grim. At each spec of positive news regarding the red tide in the gulf and the blue-green algae in the Caloosahatchee River, there seems to be some corresponding negative.

I personally visited several Sanibel beaches again this week and found them to be hit or miss. Most were significantly better than earlier this month, but some days there was a slight odor. Clean-up crews continue too, though the need for these collections also is diminishing.

 

This morning a few videos were posted on-line. One filmed early by Rebecca, Manager of Sanibel Holiday, had her walking down the beach access and along the gulf in front of Sanibel Surfside, at the end of Donax Street on the east end. With obvious wind whipping and breaking waves, there was no debris on the waterline, but a few dead fish at the upper wrack line probably from the high tide last night. The water color was very dark. Her occasional coughs are probably evidence that red tide still is there – or at least was this morning.

Mote Marine Laboratory Reports

Mote Marine Laboratory posts frequent updates about the condition of Florida’s gulf beaches at https://visitbeaches.org/#. Their last postings from yesterday afternoon showed conditions dramatically improving locally, though this week Captiva experienced red tide effects too.

Lee County Health Department\

In Florida, the health department is responsible for testing the waters at public beaches and informing the public of the water quality. (To learn more, visit the Lee County Health Department website at lee.floridahealth.gov )

The below info is from their website.

“The Florida Department of Health in Lee is reminding residents and visitors to use caution when on the beach or in waters with high concentrations of red tide. Protect your family and pets by staying away from affected areas until the blooms move further offshore or they go away.  Red tide is a naturally occurring algae that has been documented along Florida’s Gulf Coast since the 1840s and occurs nearly every year. Because the blooms are patchy, other local beaches may be okay to visit.

“The department encourages everyone to review these tips to stay safe while enjoying Florida’s beaches: In Florida, red tide is caused by a naturally occurring microscopic alga called Karenia brevis.

• Red tide algal blooms can change rapidly, staying in one place for months or just a few days or weeks.
• Symptoms from breathing red tide usually include coughing, sneezing and watery eyes. For most people, symptoms are temporary and typically go away when the person leaves the area. Wearing a particle filter mask may lessen the effects, and over-the-counter antihistamines decrease symptoms.
• People with chronic respiratory problems, like asthma, should avoid areas with active red tides. People with symptoms that persist should seek medical attention.
• Pet owners are advised that red tide poses a risk to animals brought to the beach. Red tide can affect animals if they drink affected water, lick their wet paws or fur, or breath marine aerosols.
• Residents sensitive to red tide and living in beach areas affected by blooms are advised to close windows and run the air conditioner (making sure that the AC filter is maintained according to the manufacturer’s specifications).
• Seafood, including shellfish, in restaurants, hotels, grocery stores, and markets is safe to eat. Cooked shellfish (oysters, clams, mussels) thoroughly to prevent exposure to Vibrio vulnificus. Shellfish should not be harvested or eaten from areas with active red tide.

“Beachgoers are encouraged to check conditions before they go to the beach as conditions can change daily.

For the latest Red Tide Status Reports: http://www.MyFWC.com/RedTide “.

The National Weather Service

Maybe a blessing in disguise, the National Weather Service is reporting that a tropical wave is approaching the Gulf of Mexico from the north-central Caribbean Sea. The disturbance is expected to bring heavy rain to South Florida later this weekend and early next week. We will stay tuned to that development. Perhaps it will be what is needed to break up the algae blooms.

We definitely are not looking for a hurricane. It was just last year at this time that Hurricane Irma was forming.

Temporary Closings

Local businesses, shops, and restaurants are prepared for what typically are a few slow weeks on the islands (aka September), but many did not expect the slowdown like what was experienced this month.

Some blog followers asked that I continue to post the list of places temporarily closed, until they reopen. So, below is an update of last week’s list.

Also, a spot that is open, but sometimes overlooked is Normandie Café at West Wind Inn. It’s open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. An especially good buy is their Sunset Dinner offered daily from 5 to 6 p.m. It includes your choice of house or Caesar salad; choice of Penne Pasta Primavera, Shrimp Scampi, Salmon al la Vodka, Blackened Mahi Mahi, or Fettuccini Chicken Alfredo; and choice of key lime pie or crème brulee for just $22. Consistently delish!

Here are the temporary closings:

• Blue Coyote Supper Club (Sanibel) – Their website says it sold August 13 and that a new restaurant called “Malia” will open there on Oct 1.
• Bubble Room – will be closed for repairs from Mon Sep 24, reopening Mon Oct 1.
• Island Cinema – will be closed for cleaning & maintenance from Sep 6 to Oct 5.
• Over Easy Café – will be closed for vacation Sep 10-20.
• Sanibel Community House – will be closed for maintenance Mon through Fri, Sep 10-14.
• Sweet Melissa’s – is closed for vacation, reopening Wed Sep 12.
• Traders Gulf Coast Grill & Gifts & T2 (Traders 2) – will reopen Tuesday, Oct 2.
• The Sandbar Steak & Seafood – will reopen Wednesday, Oct 3.

SanibelSusan Realty

Thanks to teammates Dave and Elise, for coordinating a huge bulk mail that was delivered yesterday to the post office. It is the time of the year where new listings are needed to fill the needs of the snowbird buyers and fall visitors who will begin arriving in just another few weeks. If you know of anyone thinking of selling, please keep The SanibelSusan Team in mind.

The action posted in the Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service since last Friday is below.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity August 24-31, 2018

Sanibel

CONDOS

5 new listings: Sanibel Shores #A2 2/2 $479K, Loggerhead Cay #233 2/2 $739K, Pointe Santo #D3 2/2 $745K, Heron at The Sanctuary #3B 3/2.5 $859K, Snug Harbor #121 3/2 $1.099M.

5 price changes: Spanish Cay #A7 1/1 now $259K (our listing – photos below show their new parking area pavers), Spanish Cay #F7 1/1 now $269K, Sundial #F205 1/1 now $440K, Sundial #G206 1/1 now $479.9K, Mariner Pointe #1052 2/2 now $529.9K.

No new sales.

3 closed sales: Sundial #I305 1/1 $340K, Sundial #E104 2/2 $840K, St.Croix 2/2.5 $941,250.

HOMES

2 new listings: 659 Donax St 2/2 $595K, 1558 San Carlos Bay Dr 3/3.5 $3.1M.

3 price changes: 1643 Sand Castle Rd 3/2.5 half-duplex now $528.5K; 2074 Wild Lime Dr 3/2 now $549,899; 735 Sand Dollar Dr 3/3 now $1.239M.

No new sales.

5 closed sales: 1126 Schooner Pl 4/2.5 duplex $440K, 5885 Pine Tree Dr 3/2 $520K, 3784 Coquina Dr 3/3 $532.5K, 438 Surf Sound Ct 3/2 $774K, 500 Periwinkle Way 3/3 $1.03M.

LOTS

No new listings or price changes.

1 new sale: 9232 Dimmick Dr listed at $199,555.

No closed sales.

Captiva

CONDOS

No new listings.

1 price change: Captiva Shores #8B 3/2.5 now $1.498M.

No or closed sales.

HOMES

1 new listing: 53 Sandpiper Ct 2/2.5 $859K.

No price changes.

1 new sale: 15735 Captiva Dr 4/5 listed at $6.795M.

1 closed sale: 11541 Wightman Ln 3/3 $1.8M.

LOTS

Nothing to report.

This representation is based in part on data supplied by the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors® Multiple Listing Service. Neither the association nor its MLS guarantees or is in any way responsible for its accuracy.  Data maintained by the association or its MLS may not reflect all real estate activity in the market.  The information provided represents the general real estate activity in the community and does not imply that SanibelSusan Realty Associates is participating or participated in these transactions.

Enjoy the long weekend!

Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan