AN IMPORTANT NEW WEB SITE
An early settler of the island, Charles LeBuff, has launched a web site that is important to those who love the island and its early years. Charles is one of the first lighthouse keepers, a specialist at the refuge, the founder of the turtle patrol and Caretta Research and a prolific author of three books and many scientific papers. His newest book, The Sanibel Island Lighthouse, will be available soon on CD-ROM. In the meantime he has authored a compendium of information about the island to be found at www.sanybel.com/florida_wildlife.htm. Give it a try.

CROSS COUNTRY SUPPORT FOR MANATEES
A California winery is helping the Florida manatee. The Oreana Wine Company in California and the Save the Manatee Club has joined forces to raise awareness about manatees. They’ve done so with the development of a wine, "Manatee Merlot," which is in limited distribution in Florida. Each bottle has a label that features a manatee done by the Florida artist, Sherry Vintson. The winery also plans to offer a Manatee Chardonnay in the near future. The arrangement is that a portion of the sale goes to the Save the Manatee Club. Sounds like a good and useful thing. For more info go to www.manateemerlot.com.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum needs help. There are several areas of need – engaging the museum visitors, working with children, helping in the museum store and helping the curatorial team in the collections area. There is no prior knowledge of mollusks or shells needed since all volunteers will be provided with a training program. This is a chance to help in one of the premier shell museums in the country and to help your community at the same time. For more information call 239-392-2233 or go to www.shellmuseum.org.

A BRIDGE OPENING
The new bridge to Sanibel is now open. The ceremonial opening took place from 8:30 AM till noon on September 8th and included much pomp and circumstance. There were cyclists, VIP’s, kayakers, 5K runners, ribbon cutters and a sailboat regatta. This was the culmination of over a year of planning and it went off without a hitch. I might add, on a personal note, that I was one of the 800 runners in the 5K and I finished with a respectable time. The opening of the bridge is an important event since it will attract even more visitors to the islands.

A DIRTY TALE
During the annual coastal cleanup there are many different items that are collected by the volunteers, as you might imagine. Last year the volunteers went to the beaches, roads and byways to pick up all the trashy junk left behind – a total in the millions of items. The top item, by far, was cigarettes and filters; not too good for the wildlife.

A BIT OF CRABBY FUN
You’ve all heard of NSCAR, NFL, NHL, NBA but how about NASCRAB. Well, the thing called NASCRAB is the crab races held each Monday and Thursday in the Crow’s Nest at Tween Waters Inn on Captiva. They begin at 6PM for the family and 9PM for adults and have been called the wackiest thing you’ve ever seen. Just buy a crab for $2 and enter it in the race and pray. Half the proceeds go to the winner and half to United Way. The total contribution that NASCRAB has made to the United Way is $100,000. So why not go to the races.

No one can deliver more more than  David with his 31 years of Island exprience

AT LAST - A BREAK FOR THE PROPERTY OWNER
The Florida legislature has finally taken positive steps to help with our out of control insurance costs. They have changed the existing state law to demand further discounts for buildings made more hurricane resistant. This will be a benefit to all property owners but it will be particularly beneficial to condominium owners who have seen their maintenance costs go through the roof because of increases in insurance rates. Furthermore, the legislature will be voting on tax legislation in January to ease the burdens on an already overburdened taxpayer. This action is fully supported by The Florida Association of Realtors and by me and is very much in your best interests. If you would like further details about these actions it is fully available at: www.floridarealtors.org/legislativecenter/top initiatives/index.cfm.

FISHIN'S GOOD
There is an organization named F.I.S.H. which stands for "Friends in Service Here". It is made up of a group of volunteers who respond to the people on the islands who have special needs. They provide a variety of services - driving to doctors or dentists, delivering hot lunches and medical equipment, visiting shut-ins and much more. They are a selfless group of people. They have recently prepared and opened a new facility, which they call their walk-in center. This allows face-to-face responses for help, which before had been largely by telephone. The new center is located at 2340 Periwinkle Way, Suite I-1, behind the Village Shops. Drop in some day and see the new facility and, if you have needs, register with them. If you want more information before going there just go to www.fishofsanibel.com.