BLIND PASS AGAIN? 
How many times have we discussed the dredging of Blind Pass to allow boat passage and the free flow of water between the gulf and the bay? It apparently is a done deal. It should make a huge difference in the water flow and should result in unbelievable fishing. Boaters who live on the bayside will now be able to get directly to the gulf. Good news, finally! It has been eight years in the making.

SANIBEL IS STORM READY
The National Weather Service has a program called Storm Ready. Sanibel has met all the criteria needed to earn this designation. There are only seven other communities in the state of Florida that have reached this same high standard. The requirement is to establish a 24-hour warning point and emergency operations center, have redundant communications systems to receive forecasts and warnings, have a system for local weather monitoring, promote the importance of readiness and develop a formal hazardous weather plan including training and exercises. The city now has 21 trained radio HAM operators and 34 trained Skywarn storm spotters. Although this has been a quiet year, it’s comforting to know that this program is in place.

WEIGH STATION OR NOT
The weigh station that used to be on the causeway was helpful in providing revenue for road maintenance on the island. If a truck is overweight it pays a fee that is used to maintain the roads on the island. When the county removed the station during the bridge and causeway construction it left the city without that revenue while the need for maintenance remained in place. The city council has agreed to re-evaluate the issue.

SANIBEL GOES SOLAR
There are several projects under way on Sanibel that will be helpful in looking at solar energy as a prospective and practical energy source. 

Big Arts is putting together a proposal for a pilot program on its property with the idea of moving people to events with five or six electric powered vehicles. They are working with a Sarasota solar company who has a contract to produce 700 such vehicles for Egypt. 

The second project is being conducted by Sanibel Alliance for Renewable Resources (SARR). They plan to make a proposal to the community for providing solar water heating. The idea is to offer solar water heating for under $2000 for a wholly owned system, or the resident could opt for a leased system.   They are negotiating with two area solar companies to supply the systems.

CRUISING 
Captiva Cruises has introduced a new ecology based cruise that will be led by an environmental teacher and is open to all, from youngsters to oldsters. It’s a three hour family friendly ecological boat tour of Fosters Bay on North Captiva Island. These waters contain some of the most dynamic ecosystems found anywhere. The cruise will be hands on and instructional. There’s a lot of wading and, if you choose, some recreational swimming. Sounds like a wonderful way to spend a sunny, breezy afternoon.

ISLAND DOIN'S|
After you’ve finished that round of golf or tennis set or boating or fishing or beaching or going to the theatre or having a great lunch, what’s left to do in this small town on an island? Lots!

-         SCCF has programs that will take you into the world of all kinds of critters – fish, birds, butterflies, otters, and turtles. www.sccf,org for specific info.

-         The Ding Darling Refuge offers self-guided or guided tours of the refuge that help you understand the island ecosystem and also lets you see the many migratory birds that winter here. Also visit their education center.  www.ding-darling.org

-         Schoolhouse Theatre offers a range of shows www.theschoolhousetheatre.com

-         BigArts has their high quality presentations covering a wide range of different and interesting disciplines. www.bigarts.com

-         There are all kinds of cruises – shelling cruises, dolphin cruises, kayak adventures, nature and sea life cruises and just sightseeing cruises.

-         And then there are the movies, restaurants, shops and many other things.

This is just a smattering. You will find much to do on paradise