Between the showers today at Lighthouse beach.
As we finish up another week on Sanibel, local kids are back in school and there have been some high temperatures (mid-90’s a couple of afternoons), also a few typical short summer showers. Though green growth with new vegetation is popping out pretty much everywhere, it also has been reported that since the hurricane washed so much salt water over the islands that natural fresh water sources are now limited.
More is needed to support the usual flora/fauna and wildlife, so the sporadic 
rain hopefully will continue. We got some again today and it didn’t seem to deter the beachgoers at Lighthouse Beach!
On my way to the beach, i noticed these workers rejuggling the HVAC equipment cages going atop the roadside building at Lighthouse Point condos.
Restoration efforts continue all over the island. It is great to see improvement with every ride-around.
Association of Realtors
Tuesday, the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors Professional Development Committee met with details discussed for the annual license-renewal classes which are being offered Sept 13-15. Speakers for monthly membership meetings for the remainder of the calendar year were also organized.
The SCIS (Sanibel Captiva Islands Specialist) designation classes planned for the last week in Sept and first week in Oct are yet to be finalized pending class locations (as Association Office building post-hurricane repairs are behind schedule). Updating the Resort & Second-Home Market class before then is on my “do list” so I am ready to teach that one for the 11th year.
Yesterday morning a local Association of Realtors Caravan Meeting was held in BIG ARTS Performance Hall. Three new home listings were open for viewing following brief announcements. No new listings, price reductions, or sales were announced though a few were posted this week in the island MLS (Multiple Listing Service). Those details are after a few news items below.
Monday, I am off to Orlando for Florida Realtors annual legislative meetings, 2023 convention and trade show. Between the pandemic and storms, it has been a few years since some events have been in-person, so I am looking forward to again seeing and networking with colleagues from around the state and doing my part with the leadership team.
Tuesday, I will sit on an Audition Panel where we will evaluate instructors looking for approval to teach state classes. That is always a long, tiring, yet productive day. After that, other days are filled with speakers, classes, and a variety of events including Florida Realtors Annual Awards Luncheon. Tim Tebow is the speaker at the General Session.
Next Friday, I will prepare this weekly update after meetings of the state Faculty Development Subcommittee and Realtor-Attorney Joint Committee where upcoming changes to the state sales contract will be discussed. Teammate Dave is covering SanibelSusan Team business at home while I’m away. Business using the internet sure makes being away easier than when I started going to these meetings 25 years ago. Here’s hoping we get some action next week.
Island Scoop
Below are some recently announced post-storm updates and re-openings:
Hirdie Girdie Art Gallery – This local artist cooperative (at 2490 Library Way) posted that its grand opening reception will be Oct 12 from 4 to 6 p.m. with sculptor John Beall as their Oct guest artist. Each month the gallery features a guest artist.
Jensen’s Twin Palm Resort & Marina – With accommodations in short supply on both islands, many have asked about the status at Jensen’s cottages on Captiva. Posted yesterday on their social media: The cottages are under construction with new roofs complete and work now being done on individual interiors. No word yet on when they will reopen. Note: Jensen’s on the Gulf is open. Today, I saw visitor cars today.
Lighthouse Café – Following up on the post last week that Lighthouse Café has signed a lease to move to the former Sanibel Fresh building at 1020 Periwinkle Way, this week a notice said that they hope to be open in that new location by Dec 1 (or Jan 1 latest).
Sanibel Arms West – Recently driving by, I have seen many roofers at work. Below are some highlights from their community blog. It discusses the work accomplished in June/July and suggests that they will be welcoming guests back by next summer.
- More than half the condo roofs are restored, or in the process of restoration.
- Almost all unit interiors have been cleared of debris, framing & insulation with work already begun on new state-of-the-industry steel interior framing.
- Hurricane glass is going in – both windows and sliders are beginning to be installed, with truckloads of material standing at the ready.
- Patio framing is being installed as units are cleared and ready for this next step.
- Native & surviving trees have been significantly (and legally) trimmed to facilitate regrowth.
Tarpon Bay Explorers – Tarpon Bay Explorers, the concession for the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, will close the month of Sep, reopening Mon, Oct. 2. During that time, the entire Tarpon Bay recreational area will be closed to the public, including the boat ramp. Tarpon Bay Explorers opened Feb. 1, four months after Hurricane Ian made landfall, but the Explorers family went from 35 employees to three and opened with limited days and hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon, Wed, Fri and Sat, rentals stop at 3 p.m.). The concession anticipates those same days/hours of operation when it reopens Oct. 2 with the same rental and tour opportunities available, along with nature-themed gift shop. Their kayak tours will still be held at 10 a.m. Wed and Sat (reservations recommended) and Tram Tours at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Thurs (reservations also recommended). Direct questions for the Explorers crew before their one-month hiatus, to the gift shop at 239-472-8900. For further info or reservations, go to their website at www.tarponbayexplorers.com. Note: Wildlife Drive will remain open throughout Sept with the current days and hours of operation: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sat through Thurs (i.e. Wildlife Drive, Visitor’s Center & Indigo Trail are closed Fridays).
The Green Flash – From a recent “Fort Myers News-Press” article: The Green Flash will reopen Sep 22 according to owner Tim McGowan. The history of the restaurant goes back to 1994 when Andreas Biery built it on the former Timmy’s Nook site. In 1950, T.M. Wiles opened his “Nook”, which was a popular watering hole on the island for more than 40 years. The McGowans bought the restaurant in early 2021. The timing of their Sep 22 reopening coincides with the start of the Island Hopper Songwriter Fest allowing the Green Flash to be a hot spot for the 3rd consecutive year. The docks at The Green Flash will be back open and seating will be available at dockside tables or inside overlooking Roosevelt Channel and Pine Island Sound. Most of the Green Flash staff has been working at Rosalita’s Cantina, the Mexican restaurant on Rabbit Rd (Sanibel) that McGowan opened with his brothers in March.
Sanibel & Captiva Islands Real Estate
Below with data from the islands MLS (Multiple Listing Service) are updated summary tables of the residential sales statistics, followed by the island MLS action this week.
If you want an updated island inventory list, please email me at Susan@SanibelSusan.com. My team usually updates it over the weekend, but got it done early this week so I could turn it around before I head to Orlando.
| SANIBEL
RESIDENTIAL |
CONDOS | HOMES | LOTS | ||||||
| # | Avg Price | DOM | # | Avg Price | DOM | # | Avg Price | DOM | |
| For sale | 56 | 1,141,834 | 143 | 80 | 1,600,440 | 97 | 27 | 957,162 | 140 |
| Under contract | 10 | 1,111,200 | 103 | 27 | 1,365,385 | 125 | 5 | 1,069,000 | 82 |
| Sold 2023 to 8/11 | 68 | 919,824 | 53 | 200 | 1,247,149 | 62 | 19 | 874,236 | 71 |
| Sold 2022 | 123 | 1,136,199 | 44 | 185 | 1,602,745 | 52 | 26 | 779,528 | 223 |
| Sold 2021 | 287 | 875,127 | 113 | 355 | 1,341,881 | 89 | 69 | 698,862 | 442 |
| CAPTIVA
RESIDENTIAL |
CONDOS | HOMES | LOTS | ||||||
| # | Avg Price | DOM | # | Avg Price | DOM | # | Avg Price | DOM | |
| For sale | 19 | 1,687,052 | 77 | 11 | 7,561,636 | 110 | 0 | N/A | N/A |
| Under contract | 2 | 438,500 | 27 | 2 | 3,322,500 | 68 | 0 | N/A | N/A |
| Sold 2023 to 8/11 | 9 | 941,333 | 117 | 13 | 2,791,000 | 73 | 0 | N/A | N/A |
| Sold 2022 | 28 | 1,458,983 | 52 | 22 | 5,636,386 | 133 | 0 | N/A | N/A |
| Sold 2021 | 64 | 1,150,373 | 145 | 44 | 2,988,520 | 261 | 2 | 2,950,000 | 731 |
Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity August 4-11
Sanibel
CONDOS
No new listings.
1 price change: Sanibel Siesta #501 2/2 now $729K.
2 new sales: Sanibel Siesta #403 2/2 listed at $734K, Sundial #F203 2/2 listed at $789K.
No closed sales.
HOMES
2 new listings: 1018 Demere Ln 4/3 $1.089M, 1428 Albatross Rd 3/2.5 $1.899M.
7 price changes: 922 Main St 3/1 now $499K, 1586 Century Ct 3/2.5 now $992K, 5685 San-Cap Rd 3/2 now $1.165M, 1207 Par View Dr 3/2 now $1,194,800; 595 Piedmont Rd 3/2 now $1.559M, 1511 Angel Dr 4/3 now $2.899M, 2255 Troon Ct 4/5.5.5 now $3.375M.
1 back on market: 1143 Sand Castle Rd 3/2.5 $899K.
6 new sales: 1122 Captains Walk St 3/2.5 listed at $798,897; 242 Christofer Ct 3/2 listed at $1.095M, 2479 Blind Pass Ct 3/2 listed at $1.15M, 896 Angel Wing Dr 3/2.5 listed at $1.55M, 1352 Eagle Run Dr 3/2.5 listed at $1.699M, 1558 & 1545 San Carlos Bay Dr 3/3.5 & dock lot listed at $3.999M.
3 closed sales: 450 Birdsong Pl 2/2 $574K. 1811 Ibis Ln 2/2 $625K, 915 Pecten Ct 4/5 $2.15M.
LOTS
1 new listing: 5633 Baltusrol Ct $499K.
No price changes or new sales.
3 closed sales: 2562 Coconut Dr 550K, 1105 Shell Basket Ln $649K, 725 Donax St $650K.
Captiva
CONDOS
3 new listings: Bayside Villas #5226 1/2 $699K, Captiva Shores #3B 3/2.5 $1.698M, Captiva Shores #6C 2/2 $1.7M.
No price changes, new or closed sales.
HOMES
No new listings.
1 price change: 11516 Wightman Ln 5/4.5 now $3.599M.
1 new sale: 11461 Old Lodge Ln 4/3 listed at $3.15M.
1 closed sale: 11511 Laika Ln 3/2 $1.9M.
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 your weekend!
Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan
The local Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors did not meet this week, but the Florida Realtors annual committee meetings have begun. I will head to Orlando soon for many of those events. This afternoon was the Zoom meeting of the Resort and Second-Home Specialist breakout group which is part of the Legislative Think Tank. It is always interesting to hear how other similar areas problem solve and compare to Sanibel and Captiva. For example, Marco Island is currently working to resolve four lawsuits, including one from Florida Realtors, about their new vacation rentals ordinance.
Another tidbit from the state Resort & Second-Home Specialist breakout group meeting this afternoon is that there has been a huge increase in Florida visitors and vacation rentals. According to Visit Florida, in 2022 over 137.4 million tourists came to Florida. That is 12.8% growth over 2021. Just in the first quarter of 2023, 37.9 million international visitors came here. For the fiscal year that just ended in June, Florida vacation rentals produced over $35 billion in taxable revenue. That’s a $13.3 billion increase over 2022, a 161% increase, a record-breaking year! Guests are staying longer, spending more, and the trend is expected to continue.
Next week, before I head to Orlando for the state in-person meetings, is the Sanibel-Captiva Association’s Professional Development Committee. More on that next Friday.
American Legion Post 123 – The only American Legion post on the islands (4249 San-Cap Rd) is reopening its Tiki Bar tomorrow and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. offering burgers, hotdogs, and pulled pork. Serving both veterans and the public, it offers a casual setting to socialize. See more info on their Facebook page.
Free Sunday Causeway Tolls – Tuesday, Lee County Commissioners announced that in efforts to increase weekend island business and in support of “Save Our Shores” campaign, the causeway tools are waived coming onto the island for the next six Sundays (from August 6 to September 10).
Heart of the Island Shops – This shopping center which covers 1614-1628 Periwinkle Way, is the new home of Sanibel Art & Frame. It is the only store open there so far and I have become a regular as I slowly empty my garage of hurricane damaged art and photos. They do an amazing job! Today when picking up a piece, I heard that two other long-time island businesses have signed leases there and will be moving in. So, when you are looking for a former favorite shop, be aware that they may have or are moving. Stay tuned for more details when the shops have made their own announcements.
Lighthouse Café – posted on social media that they have signed a lease to occupy the former Sanibel Fresh building at 1020 Periwinkle Way, between Dairy Queen and Lazy Flamingo. They are sad to leave the Seahorse Shopping Center, but certainly will have more space in their new location. No opening date announced yet.
Sanibel Community House – The Sanibel Community Association announced that the renovation of The Community House is going well. Target for completion is September 30. They encourage users to book now as spaces are filling up for the 2023/2024 season.
Sanibel Rec Center – Was closed this week for maintenance which involved scheduling several repairs and improvements during the same timeframe to minimize disruption. Those include repaving of the parking lot, installation of new weight equipment, and acid washing of pools. They reopen Monday morning, August 7.
Wednesday night, I attended the county-sponsored public meeting at BIG ARTS as the local community continues to oppose changes to building height and density on Captiva. These changes include removing height restrictions and allowing South Seas Resort to request increased density, changes that island-lovers unanimously oppose because they would harm the character, environment, and resiliency of both Sanibel and Captiva.
Enjoy your weekend!
Please remember to turn off beachfront lights after 9 p.m., fill in holes, level sandcastles, pick up trash and furniture, and respect posted nesting areas. SCCF Sea Turtle Hotline is 978-728-3663.
Many have asked if the islands will be having their annual Luminary events this year which usually occur on the first Friday in December on Sanibel, and the first Saturday on Captiva. The short answer is “no”, but In partnership with the City and other island organizations, the Sanibel-Captiva Chamber of Commerce has taken the lead in planning a 13-month celebration of Sanibel’s 50th anniversary. That anniversary is November 5, 2024.
With hurricane recovery efforts still underway, many businesses often open for Luminary events may not be ready this year.
After hearing about the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rates moving closer to 7%. I quizzed David Wright, Senior Vice President of Residential Mortgage Lending at the Sanibel & Captiva Community Bank. He was at our Association of Realtors membership meeting yesterday. With most island sales contracts being cash, it was a surprise to hear him say that this year is likely going to set records for them. He said they are doing plenty of mortgages, including for damaged property needing construction loans.
Speaker Theresa Knower who heads Midland’s 1031 division, provided a refresher overview of the 1031 tax-deferred exchange process. Following that was info on self-directed IRA’s.
Sanibel
Enjoy your weekend! Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan
The SanibelSusan Team is also thankful for the two condo listings that went under contract this week. When checking out the islands’ Multiple Listing Service (MLS) statistics, after a couple of news items below, be sure and note that with this week’s home closings, the number of Sanibel home sales in 2023 surpassed the total number sold in all of 2022. The average sale price may be down because many of the sold properties had damage, but unit volume for homes is up. Now that condo complexes are showing improvement, maybe condo sales will pick up.
At the Tuesday monthly City Council Meeting, City Manager Dana Souza announced what he said was the last formal monthly Post-Ian Update. He said finance updates will continue to be provided during the budget process which runs through the end of September. Below are highlights from his presentation:
There was no Association of Realtors meeting this week, but our listings sure had action. Below with data from the islands MLS (Multiple Listing Service) are updated summary tables of the residential sales statistics. After that are the activity with our listings this week and that posted in the MLS since last Friday.
Sanibel
Islanders already are getting ready for school to begin. Lee County Schools start August 10, less than a month from now. Where did the summer go?
Rental organizations and the Chamber of Commerce are working hard to stay up to date on what accommodations are available and businesses open. Understandably they can’t advertise a property that hasn’t been approved for occupancy yet. But stay tuned, new offerings will be coming. Progress continues. (& the Chamber of Commerce now will be open every day!}
Sanibel City Council has their regular meeting Tuesday morning with items on the agenda that affect commercial rebuilds so I will be following that as well as their update on Post-Ian progress.
Lee County Land Development Code – Last night Lee County hosted a public meeting at the Captiva Civic Association about county Land Development Code changes that will affect density and height limits on Captiva. I saw a post this morning that there was trouble with their recording equipment so they advised that additional info should be posted on-line this week. A similar County informational meeting is scheduled to be on Sanibel Wednesday, August 2 from 6 to 8 p.m. at BIG ARTS Performance Hall. It will also be available through Zoom. A third informational meeting will be on Wednesday August 9, also from 6 to 8 p.m. at the county Public Works building in downtown Fort Myers.
Sanibel Arms West – On their blog at SanibelArmsWest.com, they posted this week, that their restoration work continues with their goal to be open by next summer. Roof work underway, electrical next, then windows, doors, interior walls.
Sanibel Community Assoc – The Community House
Sweet Melissa’s Cafe – Sweet Melissa’s posted a photo yesterday of what their new building will look like. No date yet on when construction begins, but in the meantime, Melissa is cooking special dinner items both Thursday and Friday nights at her restaurant next door, Island Pizza. I dined there last night and it was wonderful to see Melissa and Island Pizza’s Tammy again. Melissa hopes to have the new restaurant open by Christmas 2025.
Monday, Mayor Richard Johnson authorized Mayoral Proclamation 23-28 which provides guidance regarding:
The new Crow’s Nest Steakhouse at The Shipyard at ‘Tween Waters opened this week.
The Shipyard downstairs opened mid-May. It does not require reservations and serves breakfast 7:30 to 11 a.m., lunch 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., lite bites from 2 to 5 p.m., and dinner from 5 to 10 p.m.
Old Captiva House at Tween Waters also continues to offer dinner. Located adjacent to the Shipyard, they also like reservations, also easy through OpenTable.com.
This week, I received an email from South Seas Resort titled “The Beach Is Calling”. It describes how the resort has reopened. From July to December, though construction continues in many areas, they have some condos and a few homes for rent. They also advise that Starbucks is open in South Seas Village and several restaurants are open on Andy Rosse Ln. This summer the resort too will have several food trucks at the beach, while this fall their Bayside Fishing Pier will be open. By the end of the year, they expect to have their main resort pools and Redfish Grille open for guests.
In my frequent drive-arounds, checking properties, I still am in awe of how many are being demolished or raised, while others have not been touched. Thankfully, most homes show evidence of restoration. There also was noticeably more activity at condo complexes this week. I also got my first call from a former owner looking for a 3-month home rental next winter. Those likely will be in-demand and hard to find, but the good news is that as more become available the rental organizations quickly are posting them on-line.
Yesterday, the city announced that the bayside lot at Lighthouse Beach Park (110-153 Periwinkle Way) and the Causeway Beach parking lot at 888 Sextant Dr (next to the boat ramp) were opening today. With these reopenings, all public-access beach park locations are now open. All require a beach parking permit or hourly paid parking. The fishing pier at Lighthouse Beach Park remains closed.
Community Cookout Event – As recovery continues, no parade or fireworks are planned this year, but the Sanibel Rec Center is hosting a FREE community cookout event. Held at the Rec Center on July 4 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., it features games, magician, pool party, live music (11-1), stilt walker, facepainting, inflatable obstacle course, Hubbard Farm rescue animals, plus free hot dogs, pizza, popcorn, and ice cream.
43rd Annual Sanibel Road Rally – The tradition continues… now organized by the Friends of Randy of Sanibel, who took the event over from the Sanibel-Captiva Optimist Club. Basically, a scavenger hunt in a vehicle, it kicks off at noon July 4th in The Timbers Restaurant parking lot on Tarpon Bay Rd. Registration is open to 25 vehicles. Teams are given questions, then set off across the islands to find as many correct answers as possible. Proceeds this year will benefit storm recovery of Sanibel American Legion Post 123. This is not a speed race, rather participants are provided with instructions and driving directions, and must find clues along the way. Each vehicle is given a start time and must be at the starting line at least 20 minutes before. When the rally kicks off, the first vehicle goes. Others follow in 2-minute increments. If spaces are still available on the 4th, on-site registration will open at 10 a.m. At the finish, teams will be ranked on points received for the most correct answers based on sights seen along the route, for a finish-time closest to the organization’s calculated time, and for distance driven closest to pre-determined route distance, plus points on bonus questions. It will take under two hours and finishes back at Timbers, where an afterglow party will be at The Sanibel Grill. Prizes will go to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place teams. Teams also are encouraged to decorate their vehicles to receive the Best Decorated prize. There will also be a 50/50 raffle. Entry fee is $50 and covers a vehicle, driver, navigator, unlimited crew and one event T-shirt. Additional shirts will be available for $20 each. To register, contact Randy Carson at rcarsonsan@gmail.com or 239-699-8739 or Allen Dunham at cougar3_33@yahoo.com or 239-699-9474. Registration forms are also available at Timbers. Residents and visitors are invited to participate. Don’t expect locals will win. SanibelSusan has participated in several of these rallies. The questions can be challenging and you don’t have to live here to know or find the answers.
After hatching, least tern checks appear sand-colored, speckled, and without visible wings or tails – looking very similar to the eggs from which they hatched. They are able to walk within hours of hatching but will stay in their nest for a few days. After two weeks, their down fluff is replaced with light brown or gray, scaly feathers, and they are more mobile, often venturing outside of posted nesting areas. Three to four weeks after hatching, least tern chicks are able to fly in short bursts, and their body shape more closely resembles that of an adult. At more than four weeks, juveniles can be distinguished from younger fledglings by the black stripe running through their eyes and around the back of their head. These juveniles also are identifiable by being more adept flyers. When these non-reproducing adult birds that fledged the year prior enter their 2nd year, they look like fledglings, but have smooth back feathers, and the black feathers around the eye to not extend to the bill. More a more detailed guide to least tern chick aging, 
Snowy plover chicks also start out sand-colored and speckled, but unlike least tern checks, they waste no time staying in the nest. They may be running about on their disproportionately long legs hours after they hatch. “This notable difference is because snowy plover chicks are precocial; they’re born in an advanced stage of development and are able to forage for their own food,” said Shorebird Technician Aaron White. “Least tern chicks are altricial, which means they still rely on their parents for food until they are able to fly and feed themselves.” After two weeks, snowy plover chicks are less “fuzzy” and “scruffier” as their primary feathers start to come in. They become more adventurous, leaving the dune habitat to explore the shoreline. After four to six weeks of development, the chicks look like slightly smaller, skinnier versions of their parents, minus the bold breeding plumage exhibited by mature adults. At this point, they are flight-capable and may be seen flying with their parents or siblings before venturing out on their own. For a more detailed guide to snowy plover chick aging, 
Sanibel
Enjoy your weekend & Happy 4th
Yesterday, at the June Membership Meeting of the Association of Realtors, Mayor Richard Johnson provided attendees with a summary of the progress the City has made since Hurricane Ian, followed by a discussion of the upcoming budget.
Last Friday, Florida Realtors Vice President of Public Policy, Andy Gonzalez, posted a nice recap about Florida’s budget:
Governor DeSantis vetoed $510.9 million.
Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) reported this week that least terns have nested on the Sanibel Causeway Islands for the first time since 1993! These state-threatened seabirds were likely attracted to the open, sandy areas created by Hurricane Ian reconstruction. Once SCCF noticed the terns, they worked with Lee County, the Florida Department of Transportation, and MyFWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife) to protect the area around the colony as essential bridge repairs continue.
Enjoy your weekend, Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan
It is another nice Sanibel Friday. Hurricanes aside, it really is no wonder that this area is considered to have the “best” year-round weather. Growing up in often foggy chilly New England and working in that sometimes-humid smoggy DC area, it still is a joy to wake up to blue skies and sunshine most of the year. Also, a plus is to rarely need a jacket or real shoes. Very little rain here this week, with most daytime temperatures in the high 80’s, often with a light breeze. Many more sea turtle nests on the beach have been staked, like the one in the picture above.
At my home on Anchor Dr, there was just a single brief evening shower, while during the day the resident osprey are ruling the neighborhood with loud squawking whenever a contractor vehicle goes up the street. With just three homeowners now coexisting with nature on the private beach end of the street, the peace and quiet is appreciated, as are those announcements from the birds.
With the June 20 meeting fast approaching, Sanibel City Council held an emergency meeting Wednesday night at BIG ARTS. The room was packed, but I got a front-row seat. Following presentations by leaders from both islands and SCCF (Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation), the 2+hour meeting wrapped up with a unanimous motion for Sanibel to strongly oppose these changes. The meeting was recorded and may be viewed on The City of Sanibel Facebook page. A program provided two days earlier by the Captiva Civic Association also was recorded. It is on YouTube at 
Lighthouse Beach – This morning was the ribbon cutting for the reopening of the Lighthouse Beach gulf side parking area. Well attended, Mayor Johnson asked the crowd how many came from off-island. Many hands went up, some coming from as far away as a 5-hour drive. It may be the most popular public-access beach.
Below with data from the island MLS (Multiple Listing Service) are updated summary tables of the residential sales statistics. After that is the activity posted in the MLS since last Friday.
Sanibel
Sanibel-Captiva Chamber of Commerce had their grand opening Tuesday afternoon.
Tomorrow, Saturday, June 10, from 5 to 8 p.m. is BIG ARTS Annual Art Vibe.
· The Building and Planning Departments are now back on the island in their new offices on Library Way. As of June 5, City has issued 5,099 permits, with a 5-day turn-around for initial review. Of those permits, most are roof (1,638). Also 1,085 for emergency building repairs, 590 electrical, 153 demolitions.
I know I have said it before, but it sure is wonderful to be back home. I continue to sort through the goodies that Dave salvaged from the office and my home. This week, I uncovered the painted shells that were on my desk. They had a heavy coat of dried hurricane muck but are cleaning up.
grant program, known as