It’s another happy Friday, time for SanibelSusan’s weekly island report. After an overcast chilly weekend, those who complained that summer weather dragged on too long this year, were suddenly surprised with a day that didn’t get out of the 60’s (that was Sunday). Thankfully, the sun came out Monday morning as it warmed up to 71. Daytime temperatures stayed in the 70’s much of the week, which is below the islands’ November average which is 80 degrees F. Temperatures are expected to be back to the norm next week for the holiday, with Thanksgiving Day currently forecast to be a sunny 82 degrees F.

When the sun is out, the roads and bike paths continue to fill up with visitors. For those asking about upcoming holiday events and where they can get their Thanksgiving dinner, below is that info, followed by a couple of news items and a report of the action since last Friday in the Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service.

The SanibelSusan Team wishes you a wonderful Thanksgiving! Business is good. We are thankful for that and also ready for anyone looking for real estate here next week. The only day the office is officially closed is Thursday.

Upcoming Events

• 18^th Annual Community Thanksgiving Celebration – Sunday, Nov 24 at 6:30 p.m. at The Community House, with island-wide representation. Open to all, with food and monetary donations to benefit. F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva. Program participants will include representatives from local churches, City government, and BIG ARTS Community Chorus singers. See you there!
• ‘Tween Waters Annual Tree Lighting Celebration – next Friday, Nov 29, from noon until 8 p.m.

Where On-Island to Dine or Get Fixin’s on Thanksgiving Day

The Sanibel-Captiva Chamber of Commerce posts a list of establishments that are open and closed on Thanksgiving Day. Rather than provide the long list including those closed, below is their list abbreviated with just those open on Thanksgiving.

BUSINESS	OPEN/CLOSED	COMMENTS	PHONE
Bailey’s General Store	7 am -12 pm		(239) 472 1516
Bleu Rendez Vous French Bistro	5 – 8 pm	Reservations only	(239) 565 1608
Bubble Room	11:30 am – 3 pm & 4:30 pm – 8 pm	Recommend Reservations	(239) 472 5558
Captiva House	12 – 8 pm	Buffet, reservations only	(239) 472 5161 (#4)
Crow’s Nest	4 – 8 pm		(239) 472 5161 (#4)
Dairy Queen	11 am – 8 pm		(239) 472 1170
Dante’s Pizza	5 – 10 pm		(239) 558 4429
Doc Ford’s – Captiva	11 am -10 pm		(239) 312 4275
George & Wendy’s Seafood Grille	5 – 10 pm		(239) 395 1263
Geppetto’s	8 am -10 pm		(239) 472 6566
Gramma Dot’s	11:15 am – 8 pm		(239) 472 8138
Huxter’s Market & Deli	6:30 am – 10 pm		(239) 472 6988
Island Cow	7 am – 8 pm		(239) 472 0606
Jerry’s Food Store	6 am – 3 pm		(239) 472 9300
Jerry’s Restaurant	6 am – 12 pm		(239) 472 9300
Keylime Bistro	8 am – 10 pm		(239) 395 4000
Lighthouse Cafe	7 am – 2 pm		(239) 472 0303
Normandie (West Wind Inn)	8 am – 2:30 pm & 4:30 pm – 7 pm		(239) 472 1541
Pecking Order	Order pick up til noon		(239) 472 2534
Pinocchio’s Ice Cream	8 am – 10 pm		(239) 472 6566
RC Otter’s	8 am – 6 pm		(239) 395 1142
Sand Dollar	8 – 11 am & 5 – 10 pm	Buffet 8-11, Dinner 5-10	(239) 395 4101
Sanibel Cafe	7 am – 2 pm		(239) 472 5323
Sanibel Grill	4 – 10 pm		(239) 472 3128
Schnapper’s	11 am – 4 pm		(239) 472 8686
Sea Breeze Cafe	7 – 11 am		(239) 395 6017
Sunshine Seafood Cafe	4 – 9 pm		(239) 472 6200
Thistle Lodge	11 am – 7 pm	Buffet, Reservations	(239) 472 9200
Timbers	4 – 8 pm		(239) 472 3128
Traditions (Island Inn)	4 – 9 pm		(239) 472 4559

 

 

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors® November Membership Meeting

At the local Association of Realtors® monthly breakfast meeting yesterday, breakfast sponsor, J.N. “Ding” Darling Wildlife Refuge, Executive Director Birgie Miller told us about the recent National Fish and Wildlife Foundation award of a $5.309-million grant to the Refuge for restoring their newly-acquired 68-acre Wulfert Bayous area. “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society – Friends of the Refuge partnered with them for a grant from the Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund to restore bird population affected by the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. Grant monies will enhance this wetland habitat for roosting and nesting birds to attract species impacted by the spill, including roseate spoonbills, white ibises, brown pelicans, wood storks, and many egret/heron species.

Event speaker was Phillip G. Flood, Jr, Principal Regional Representative at the South Florida Water Management District. He updated us on the many water restoration projects underway in an area known as one of the world’s largest water management systems. It spans 16 counties, 18,000 square miles, with 8.1 million residents, 2,100 miles of canals, 2,100 miles of levees and berms, 600 water control structures, 625 project culverts, 70 pump stations, and 3,500 hydrological monitoring stations. With 23 multi-year projects underway, it may be several years before significant results are noticed here. The C-43 storage reservoir project is one of the projects closest to the islands. It is spread over 10,500 acres and divided into two reservoir cells and two pump stations. Though he complimented Sanibel for being proactive with its efforts to prevent pollution and overdevelopment, he acknowledged that the rest of the state needs to follow suit.

During the Caravan announcement segment of the meeting, only a handful of new sales and price reductions were mentioned. It’s the time of the year when the norm is more new listings. Our new listing at Lighthouse Point #211 was open for the Open House caravan that followed. (Some Lighthouse Point photos below.)

Gene’s Books

A couple of years ago, when Gene, from Gene’s Books was looking for a spot for a second store, it was teammate Dave that helped make it happen. Now both of Gene’s stores are open, the original at 2365 Periwinkle opposite Palm Ridge Rd and the new one, up and across the street at 2422 Periwinkle Way (formerly a shell shop). Book aficionados love Gene and his stores. Many a client has said, “if you need a book, Gene will find it.” Nice to see him recognized in the below article posted last week, Nov 13, 2019, at “Forbes” on-line by Travel Contributor Wendy Altschuler:

“Here Are The Best Bookshops In America For Bibliophiles – If you’ve ever lost track of the sunlight, because you were fused to a cushioned chair with a titillating title in your hand, then raise your proverbial glass in the air and celebrate the hospitable bookshop that allowed you to read for hours on end, uninterrupted. Spending time in bookstores is especially easy when the environment is welcoming, and the space is unique. Take one step inside Shakespeare and Company in Paris, Livaria Lello in Portugal, or Libreria Acqua Alta in Venice to understand the sentiment.

“America also has some pretty impressive bookstores, guilty of housing bookish fugitives. Read on to discover the most unique havens for bibliophiles because, after all, isn’t holding the binding of an actual book, where you can smell the pages and let the hardcover rest on your chest when you pause to ponder, better than the digital alternative?

            “Chicago: Women and Children First – Feminist bookstores in America are few and far between and Chicago’s Women and Children First is one of the largest feminist bookstores around, housing more than 30,000 titles by and about women. Visiting authors, book groups, and story time for children events have made this bookseller a staple in the Andersonville neighborhood.

            “Seattle: Secret Garden Books – It’s not easy to keep an independent bookstore up and running, especially with heavy competition online, however there are a number of booksellers that have managed to thrive for many years in The Emerald City. University Book Store, Eagle Harbor Book Co., and Island Books are community stalwarts. Secret Garden Books is also a standout because for over forty years, they have been dedicated to promoting literacy for children. After all, getting younger generations to develop a love of reading contributes to the success of an independent bookstore, decade after decade

“Denver: Tattered Cover Book Store –Tattered Cover has been around since 1971 and even though it’s a relatively large independent book store, it still maintains that cozy lose-yourself-in-a-chair feel that bookworms crave. Chances are, if you have a favorite author on a book tour, you’ll be able to get your book signed and hear them read here. You can relish the experience at four different locations, including one inside of Union Station, and if you must go online, check out their Indie Next List for new titles.

“San Francisco: City Lights Booksellers and Publishers – San Francisco is such a lovely walkable city, full of sensory delights, and a trip to City Lights Booksellers and Publishers, a landmark located on the edge of China Town, will not disappoint book lovers. Political and poetry books have long been the bread and butter of City Lights and the publishing arm still produces titles to this day. Beatniks, free thinkers, and artists were the clientele of the 50’s and it would appear that little has changed even to this day. City Lights co-founder and poet, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, who turned 100 in March 2019, made headlines for publishing Allen Ginsberg’s Howl and Other Poems in 1956, which was part of an obscenity trial. He faced jail time and a fine in order to endorse free speech. This bookshop is all about creating an indelible space for open minded readers, thinkers, and speakers.

            “Gene’s Books, Florida – There’s something about seeing stacks of books everywhere, lining the walls, topping each surface, stored in every nook and cranny, that creates a lived-in feel. Gene’s Books on Periwinkle Way in Sanibel, Florida, is such a place. The popularity of this gem has created a need for expansion—there’s a second building across the street. Both locations have a large selection of Florida-specific titles and visitors can often get discounts or receive free books.

“Visiting independent bookstores, anywhere across America, gives us the opportunity to learn about diverse communities and local vibes. Ask the bookseller for a recommendation, kick up your feet on a lounger—preferably with a cup of coffee in hand, and stay awhile. A book purchased and enjoyed from a special destination is one of the best mementos you can have.”

Florida’s Sunshine & Tax Benefits Beckon Billionaires

Article from the 11/11/19 “Wall Street Journal”: “While the president is the most famous rich person moving to Fla., he’s not alone. But it’s too soon to determine the impact of tax migrations on states’ budgets.

“NEW YORK – In addition to President Donald Trump, a number of high-profile financiers have ditched northeastern states for Florida’s warmer climate and lower taxes. David Tepper, Paul Tudor Jones and Barry Sternlicht are among prominent transplants who pulled up roots in New York, New Jersey or Connecticut and headed for the Sunshine State – and Carl Icahn says he’s moving his company from New York to Miami next year.

“The exodus of billionaires can put a damper on their previous states’ budgets, though New Jersey and Connecticut tax officials said it is too early for state revenue data to show whether the 2017 tax law imposing a $10,000 cap on state and local tax (SALT) deductions has caused high earners to flee.

“The most recent tax data available covers 2017, and the SALT cap went into effect in 2018. Both Connecticut and New York have been losing residents; Connecticut’s population of 3.57 million in 2018 was down 22,000 since its last peak in 2013, according to Census figures, and New York’s population slipped to 19.54 million in 2018, a loss of about 119,000 from its last peak in 2015.

“Some of the reasons ultra-wealthy individuals give as reasons for moving to Florida include the 2017 tax law change, the high costs in New York compared with the greater purchasing power of a dollar in the Sunshine State, and the warmer weather. For many, it’s not a completely new beginning. Many of the transplants already owned vacation homes in Florida.”

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity November 5 – 22, 2019

Sanibel

CONDOS

5 new listings: Sandpebble #2F 2/2 $449K, Loggerhead Cay #532 2/2 $689K, Sand Pointe #131 2/2 $729K, Sanctuary Golf Villages I #4-3 3/3 $914.5K, Pointe Santo #C3 3/2 $1.195M.

5 price changes: Sanibel Arms #C7 1/1 now $385K, Sanibel Arms #F2 1/1 now $549K, Loggerhead Cay #351 2/2 now $579K, Surfside 12 #A1 3/2 now $734K, Seawind II #2 2/2.5 now $849K.

3 new sales: Kimball Lodge #223 1/1.5 listed at $395K, Sanibel Arms West #M1 2/2 listed at $511K, Kings Crown #213 2/2 $799K.

3 closed sales: Yacht Haven #4 3/2 $650K, Island Beach Club #210B 2/2 $720K, Pointe Santo #A46 2/2 $1.05M.

HOMES

9 new listings: 1476 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 $695K, 5304 Umbrella Pool Rd 3/3 $785K, 1724 Bunting Ln 3/3.5 $949.5K, 6176 Henderson Rd 3/2 $1.189M, 911 S Yachtsman Dr 3/3 $1.195M, 599 Lake Murex Cir 4/3.5 $1.299M, 751 Windlass Way 5/5 $1.595M, 2460 Harbour Ln 3/3 $2.1M, 5075 Joewood Dr 4/4.5 $2.99M.

8 price changes: 325 East Gulf Dr 1/1 now $509K, 731 Durion Ct 3/2 now $775K, 5186 Sea Bell Rd 3/3 now $888.5K, 5842 Pine Tree Dr 3/2 now $995K, 938 Pecten Ct 3/2.5 now $995K, 1010 Kings Crown Dr 3/3 now $1.035M, 550 N Yachtsman Dr 3/3 now $1.335M, 6071 Sanibel-Captiva Rd 5/4.5 now $1.75M.

5 new sales: 1585 Bunting Ln 3/2 listed at $575K, 6447 Pine Ave 3/2.5 listed at $595K, 9052 Mockingbird Dr 3/2 listed at $615K, 9440 Cotten Ct 3/2 listed at $650K, 5402 Osprey Ct 4/3 listed at $975K.

6 closed sales: 9401 Beverly Ln 3/3 $625K, 1800 Ardsley Way 3/2 $650K, 1677 Sabal Sands Rd 3/2 $675K, 823 Birdie View Pt 4/3 $777.5K, 9094 Mockingbird Dr 4/3.5 $855K, 836 Sand Dollar Dr 3/2/2 $1.25M.

LOTS

3 new listings: 5116 Sea Bell Rd $229K, 667 Birdie View Pt $339K, 3941 West Gulf Dr $3.695M.

No price changes, new sales, or closed sales.

Captiva

CONDOS

1 new listing: Ventura Captiva #2B 3/3 $915K.

2 price changes: Bayside Villas #4112 1/2 now $375K, Lands End Village #1651 2/2 now $1.199M.

1 new sale: Captiva Hide-A-Way #2D listed at $900K.

No closed sales.

HOMES

1 new listing: 16151 Captiva Dr 4/3 $3.995M.

No price changes.

1 new sale: 16447 Captiva Dr 7/6/2 listed at $2.99M.

No closed sales.

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.

Until next Friday, enjoy your Thanksgiving! Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan