Every week we mail to every home and business on Sanibel and Captiva, subscribers throughout the United States, and... Don Shula Miami, FL /• VOL. 6, NO. 3 SANIBEL & CAPTIVA ISLANDS, FLORIDA JULY 17, 1998 JULY SUNRISE/SUNSET: 17 06:46 20:22 18 06:47 20:21 19 06:47 20:21 20-06:48 20:20 21-06:48 20:20 22 06:49 20:20 23 06:49 20:19 the roots of an extensive mangrove Commission fringe, then extend waterward more than 20 percent of the width of a Approvals waterway, and be located less than the minimum setback required from a side New Noah's Ark property line (as extended in the water) in Dinkins Bayou. Specifically asked by Addition, Roof For Attorney Tim Murty for Donald R. and Donna Beall Bishop, the boat dock and SCCF, Dock And Lift lift would be at 2443 Blue Crab Court lanning Commissioners in hear- and subject to 16 conditions.=$ ings at a special evening session PTuesday at Schein Auditorium at B.I.G. Arts approved unanimously the Fullsome following conditional uses and vari- ances to the Land Development Code Fact-Find and development permits as follows: Conditional use and development Bridge "Adequate permits for Saint Michael and All 7 Angels Episcopal Church, 2304 to Good/ Periwinkle Way, as represented by the Reverend William P. Dodd and William Engineers Finally R. Currise, for an 1872 square-foot Sum Up addition at the rear of Noah's Ark "Thrift Shop. Limited to work and stor- By Fran Nuelle age area, it must meet nine conditions, including signage regulations. he Sanibel policy in event of hur- Conditional use and development ricane is evacuation as early as permits for Sanibel-Captiva Tpossible, and at least two resi- Conservation Foundation, as repre- dents firmly believe it's the way to go. sented by SCCF's Erick Lindblad, That in spite of new bridge, rebuilt or Architect Joe St. Cyr and Dean rehabbed, high span or no. Skaugstad, for new roof over the Among those in an audience of administration building and 1060 about 150 who heard 10 speakers at square foot addition. It, too, must meet the latest of the Planning riine conditions.including vegetation Commission's "public outreach" fact- and outdoor lighting requirements. finding program at BIG Arts Schein Variances and a development per- Hall Tuesday evening were Alice and mit for a new boat dock and lift to extend more than 15 feet waterward of Continued on page 4 tures several years ago. One structure Wildlife was replaced in 1996 at the cost of almost $100,000. Six more structures Drive Closed are scheduled to be replaced, but because of the high cost of the struc- he J.N. "Ding" Darling National tures, the enormous backlog of mainte- Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island, nance expenses on National Wildlife TFlorida regrets to report that the Refuges throughout the nation, and the X/Vildlife Drive will be closed to automo- lack of sufficient funding, we have been bile traffic beginning July 13, 1998 unable to replace the other structures. Until further notice. This closure is due Until funding becomes available, to dangerous road conditions caused by "band-aid" repairs will be completed so Washouts from the recent storms. The that Wildlife Drive can be reopened to damage occurred at Water Control public vehicles. Tentatively repairs Structure #1, when the aging metal should be completed within the next 7- culvert collapsed. There are seven 14 days. During this time the Tarpon Water control structures under Wildlife Bay Recreation Area will offer 2-hour Drive, These structures are used to guided tram tours periodically through- rrianipulate water levels for mosquito out the day for $7 per adult and $3.50 control and to benefit resident and for children 12 and under. For infor- nnigrating water birds. Funds were mation on these tours, contact the Requested to replace all seven struc- Refuge Visitor Center at 472-1100.# '•.•:) Island Sun: -4ttIy I7i?1998 Certificate Of Appreciation Fourth " San-Cap Weather History Seven Day Generation by Jim Blocker Date Precipitation Weather Forecast Islander July High Low by Jim Clarke, Chief Meteorologist, NBC 2 avonna Davis, 16-year- 7 93 80 0 Date Temperature Rain Wind Gulf old junior at Cypress 90 80 0.01 July Low High (Chances) (Knots) Temp 8 LLake High School, has 9 92 78 0 17 77 91 50% SW 10-15 85 joined the staff of volunteers 10 94 83 0 at the Historical Village and 18 78 92 40% SW10 86 Museum this summer and 0.11 l! 11 87 80 .I brings with her a special 19 77 91 30% S10 86 12 92 74 2.50 prestige. Lavonna is a fourth 77 0.01 20 77 93 50% SE5-10 87 generation islander, a rare 13 commodity on Sanibel! 50% S/SE5-10 87 Our long awaited summer rains came with a bang on July 12th when 21 76 93 The daughter of Isabelle •2.50 inches fell from some lusty thunderstorms that spun down out of an 22 78 92 40% SW5-10 87 (Gavin) and Jerry Davis it is upper lev/el low pressure center from Alabama and Georgia. The eastern through the Gavin connec- end of the island recorded 3.40 inches of rain; while some folks in 23 78 91 40% SW10 87 tion that Lavonna traces her Charlotte and Collier counties were "blessed" with 4 to 5 inches of much local heritage. Isaiah and needed rain. Hannah Gavin came to My son from Phoenix and my daughter, grandson, and a good friend Sanibel in 1920 and took up Dean from California arrived late on the night of the 11th. They were Tropical Storm History In sharecropping for the Nutt Lavonna Davis, fourth generation islander and greeted by an exceptionally wet day that knocked out fishing or playing sisters, Cordie and Letty, summer volunteer at Sanibel's historical village, golf; however, we did get in a great kayak ride through the mangroves of whose 1889 home called looks through scrapbooks at the museum. Tarpon Bay before the storms exploded across our drought-stricken land. Florida 1891 To 1900 "Grey Gables" still stands on poses and functions. She was attracted The "summer monsoon" had just started in Phoenix and I suggested to my , epresenting the Optimist Club, youth committee chairperson, Ginny Joyce, West Gulf Drive. Coincidently that is son Mark that he brought the rain with him; however, let's get serious. Lee to the museum because she "feels presented Chamber of Commerce director, David Besse with a certificate of the same year Isaiah was bom in Sanibel history is important," an County receives more rain in a "normal" summer month than Phoenix ^appreciation for his assistance making the Fourth of July Road Rally such a Wakulla County, Florida. does in the entire year. The Arizona capital averages less than 8 inches of appropriate assessment from a fourth success. Funds will be used to further youth involvement in community affairs. The original Gavins had five chil- generation Sanibelian. rain per year while San Diego "normally records" around 10 inches a year. Other organizations who received the award are, Auto Quest, Bailey's General dren, among them a son Edmond who However, "El Nino" brought more rain to the desert southwest and to Located at 950 Dunlop Road, the Store, The Beached Whale, Captiva Cruises, Community Bank of the Island, The with his wife Elnora produced 18 off- Historical Village is open each California last winter just as it did to Florida. My grandson Dustin, who at Dunes Golf and Tennis, Europa SeaKruz, Arnold Z. Goodman/Robert Thomas spring. Those two are grandparents of 16 is becoming a very fine young man, and my daughter Kathy comment- Wednesday through Saturday from 10 Securities, Hair, Skin and Nails Day Spa of Sanibel, The Islander.The Island the historical museum's newest docent. a.m. until 4 p.m. The complex will ed on how cold it had been in San Diego county when rains were inundat- Reporter.The Island Sun, The Lazy Flamingo, The Lighthouse Cafe, Photo Lavonna Davis with her mother ing the "Golden" state during the winter. close August 16 through mid-October Express in Bailey's, Rosie's Island Market and Deli, Sanibel Shell, Sanibel Brew attended the Optimist Club's for change of exhibits and general The last time my kids were here was during the summer of 1995 when Pub, Sanibel Island Restaurant Group/Tarwinkles, McT's Sanibel Steakhouse "Community Connection" forum back tune-up. Call 472-4648 for further it rained "cats and dogs" from June through September and many Sanibel Jacaranda, Sanibel Marina Seminole Gulf Railway, The Sundial Resort, Terrace in May where local organizations pre- information.=& streets were flooded for weeks. Yes, that was the year that Hurricanes Tropical Grill.# sented facts about their individual pur- Allison, Erin and Opal raked parts of Florida, while Tropical Storm Jerry dumped 17 1/2 inches of rain on Sanibel in two days. So, when they arrived last weekend and the rain poured down on the land, I'm sure they were thinking, "Dad told us how hot and dry it has been on Sanibel and here we are getting soaked. Will this trip be like 1995 when 10 inches of These alert radios are adapted to access onto the island following a dis- Emergency Management Office, rain poured on us the last time we were here?" Weather Alert receive emergency information broad- aster. Property owners can also utilize Sanibel Police Department, at (941)' As it turned out, we waited out the morning heat and afternoon storms casts from the SPD.