N/OL 13, NO. 33 SANIBEL & CAPTIVA ISLANDS, FLORIDA FEBRUARY 17, 2006 FEBRUARY SUNRISE/SUNSET: 17 07:02 18:21 18 07:01 18:22 19 07:00 18:23 20 06:5918:23 21 06:59 18:24 n 06:58 18:24 23 06:57 18:25 Water Managers: There Is No Silver Bullet Solution by Jim George n a cool, sunny morning last week, special interest groups and con- Ocerned individuals from around southern Florida gathered at Florida Gulf Coast University in the midst of a media frenzy to try to find some common ground in the growing water controversy that will impact millions of people now and in future generations. There was no doubt that the huge crowd was hoping to hear about a quick solution but the chief hydraulic engineer of the South Florida Water Management District stated cat- egorically that, "there is no silver bullet solution." And thereby lies the problem. At the current rate of deterioration, the Pine Island and Caloosahatchee estuaries will be dead by the time all the plans are realized, according to many experts. The issue - a dying ecosystem that extends from the Kissimmee River Basin to the southern tip of Florida, including the The spirited cast of You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown estuaries of both the east and west coasts. Erick Lindblad, executive director of the The Peanuts Gang Comes Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation To The Schoolhouse Theater The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and South Florida Water Management District bu're A Good Man, Charlie Brown opens this weekend at The Schoolhouse have been releasing hundreds of millions of Theater on Sanibel. Join Lucy, Linus, Sally, Schroeder, and Snoopy for a gallons of murky, polluted fresh water from Y musical day in the life of beloved Charlie Brown. This Tony Award winning Lake Okeechobee into the Caloosahatchee Broadway musical is based on the comic strip Peanuts by Charles Schulz and is per- River during the wet season to reduce the fect for the entire family. water level in the lake. They have flushed continued on page 50 dark plumes of water that have turned the normally clear, blue-green water of Pine Island Sound and San Carlos Bay into a Model Lighthouse tannic stained coffee color that is normally only seen in the back reaches of fresh On View At Library water bodies in the state. The releases by Brian Johnson change the critical balance of salt and fresh water in the estuary and the dark water rhen you walk up the staircase at blocks the sunlight from the sea grass the Sanibel Library during the and other bottom vegetation. The water Wicoming month, one of the first is loaded with phosphorus and nitrogen, things you will see is a chest-high model not only from the lake water, but from the of the Sanibel Lighthouse. urban storm sewer discharges as it passes The exact replica of the famed Sanibel through residential and farming areas. By landmark was created by Bob Paulson, a the time it reaches the estuary, the nutrient laden water is a carrier of slow death for builder from Plymouth, Minnesota who has Kevin Godsea, JN "Ding' Darling National been wintering on the island for the past Wildlife Refuge marine life and vegetation. 10 years. The model contains over 700 * continued on page 9 wooden parts and took him five years to complete. "I thought it would be a challenging Rec Center Public Meeting project, and that I would learn a lot of new things," said Paulson. anibel Citizens for a Healthy Future will be holding a public meeting on the continued on page 66 proposed new recreation center on Thursday, February 23, from 1:30 to 2:30 Bob Paulson beside his model of the Sp.m. at the Sanibel Public Library. No reservations required. All are welcome Sanibel Lighthouse to attend.^ Community Foundation of Sanibel- Community Captiva Bailey Grant Awards: o8 CROW-$10,000 (M Foundation BIG Arts - $5,000 Gulfshore Ballet - $4,500 > Awards Grants Schoolhouse Theater Foundation - $7,000 he Community Foundation of DC SWFL Symphony - $3,000 CO Sanibel-Captiva has awarded LU Sanibel Community Association T$87,079 in grants to 16 local - $6,500 non-profit agencies during its annual Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum , Bailey grant cycle. - $4,906 These grants are made possible by the Brightest Horizons Mission, Inc. donations of individuals and corporations - $5,000 i Compare Our Rates with through membership in the Community Children's Education Center of the Foundation's Bailey Society and funds Islands - $5,000 Those of Other Banks raised from this year's Sanctuary Charity Junior Achievement - $4,000 Golf Tournament which raised more than Sanibel School Fund - $4,848 $50,000 for the foundation. Sanibel School PTA - $3,750 Checks will be presented to the agen- Sanibel-Captiva Conservation cies during the Community Foundation's Foundation - $3,575 SanibeS Capfiva.Community Bank, annual Bailey Reception held February City of Sanibel - $5,000 19, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Sanibel City of Sanibel (second program) your local Island bank, offers: Community Association on Periwinkle - $5,000 Way. Good Neighbor Fund - $10,000 # Sponsors for the reception include-. Bank of the Islands, Sanibel-Captiva Trust TOTALLY FREE Checking Company and Henderson, Franklin, Income Tax Aid Starnes & Holt, PA. very Wednesday, February 8 Cocktails and refreshments will be through April 12, AARP volun- High Yield MONEY MARKET served at the reception. Eteers are offering tax help. Free Since its founding in 2000, the to the public. "Bring your W-2s, 1099s Community Foundation of Sanibel- and last years tax return, if possible. Captiva has made grants of more than You will walk out with a completed tax Some Of The Area's Highest Yielding $1.6 million to charitable groups. return," said Katie Reid, Sanibel-Captiva The foundation is an affiliate coordinator AARP wil be at the Senior CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT of Southwest Florida Community Center at the corner of Palm Ridge Foundation, was founded to provide fund- Road and Library Way from 12:30 to 4 ing for non-profit organizations serving p.m. each Wednesday. No advance reg- residents and workers on the islands. istration is required & Further information is available by calling 274-5900, or at www.sanibelcom- munity.com. Sanibel Captiva Cares Invites vou ~Io ml hiidren's HospiCs! -it i \c.\\ Sunday : March 12, 2OO6 Sanctuary Clubhouse 63O pm •• Auction • Dinner . • Dancing1; - COMMUNITY'BANK Tickets-. |15O p& person Our branch at 1037 Periwinkle Way is NOW OPEN to serve east SanibeL (239)472-6100 Fax (239) 472-5678 J4V) I PC I CHILDREN'S HOSRWL 2475 Library Way, Sanibel, Florida 33957 www.SanCapBank.com *7he Annual Percentage Yield (AP\0 set forth above is accurate a$ of the publication ip^b 3t Memoriamal Healta hS Systey m Foun43tion qt 9B5-555C su&ieat to change thereafter. There is a penait]' for eopiy withdrawal. $1,000 minimum dec or Amanda Cross, 4-72-2082 or i net "Bums Family Team Tour 0f Sanibel ICO o SCHEDULE OF QI»EM iOlJSE GO Voted Best Island Realtors for W97,WMmd 2003 Joan. Jeff, Tiffany & Joe Burnsf =5 1241 PAR VI bW DRIVL/BJACIIVIEW 1355 EAGLE RUN; BEACHV1EW 904 ALMAS COURT 952 KINGS CROWN DR. 3 bedrooms, 2 baths S^OO .sflffr; 4 bedrooms, 4 Vi baths EASTWOOD LANDINGS SHELL HARBOR Brick paver lanai and pool Beautiful, private lot 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms + pool Views of river and golf course Gourmet kitchen Across the street from the beach Views of intersecting canals & mangroves Many luxurious upgrades Pool with fountain and spa Boat dock with access to the Gulf 10,0001b boat lift & brick paver dock $895,000 ...and much, much more! $1,495,000 $1,395,000 $1,975,000 1168 HARBOUR COTTAGE CT. 714 DURION COURT; EAST ROCKS LOGGERHEAD CAY; 2220 CAMINO DEL MAR HARBOUR COTTAGES 3 bedrooms, 2 baths 979 EAST GULF DRIVE Steps from the beach 3 bedroom, 3 bath Serene lake and sanctuary views Beautiful Gulf and beach views. Excellent income 3 bedrooms, 3 baths Direct access, seawalled canal Pool, spa, and large lanai potential. Large pool, tennis, on-site mgmt. lake views w/ peaks of Gulf Boat dock and 2 lifts Open, well-designed floor plan Unit #341 $699,900 two master suites Spectacularly remodeled interior $749,999 Unit # 542 - $795,000 $950,000 $1,095,000 Unit #543 - $780,000 907 KINGS CROWN DRIVE SNUG HARBOR #113; 245 DANIEL DRIVE 1222 FERRY ROAD SHELL HARBOR 303 PERIWINKLE WAY SEAGULL ESTATES 3 bedrooms, 3 baths 3 bedrooms, 3 baths with pool 2 bedrooms, 2 baths 3 bedrooms, 2 baths Steps to the Bay or the beach Seawalled canal w/ dock and lift Breathtaking views of the Gulf Close to the beach Desirable East-end location Desirable east end location Desirable East End location Spacious interior Screen enclosed deck, pool, spa Beamed cathedral ceilings Convenient, ground floor cabana Amen. Inc. pool and tennis $1,285,000 $1,695,000 $1,299,000 $1,275,000 PRIVATE SHOWING AVAILABLE BY APPOINTMENTS 140' direct access canal frontage. 4 bedrooms, 3 '/? baths. 2 bedrooms, 2 baths. Gulf and beach views on 3 sides. 2 bedrooms, 2 baths. New furniture & appliances. Great Spacious, remodeled interior. Large pool w/ brick paver lanai Top floor, corner unit. Excellent rental income Gulf view. Close to beach and pool ' $1,895,000 $939,000 $685,000 Gall Joe, Joan, Jeff or Tiffany Bums •239-472-3121 • 800-232-6004 • www.burnsfamilyteam.com Sanibel Historical Village And Museum Fundraiser A Huge Success ^ by Alan Smith huge success - the only Athree words that can adequately describe Sanibel's z: Historical Village to and Museum's annu- Q al fundraiser held t< Tuesday, February 7 at the Sanctuary Golf Club.