BIG Arts Fair coming Islander's information-filled program featured insert 13 new : subscribers : this week [l Since 1961 Still first on Sanibei and Captiva islands VOL. 33, NO. 47 TUESDAY, NOV. 22, 1994 2 SECTIONS, 36 PAGES 50 CENTS '..' «,>'-,>: •;, * ,' ;<••*,; Gordon not much of a storm - on Checking things out the islands Lou Hinds, the manag- By Steve Ruediger er of the J.N. "Ding" Islander staff writer Darling National Wild- A little rain, a little wind, some waves and some life Refuge on Sanibel, middle of the storm clear skies ... Gordon was not looks out over Tarpon much of a storm on Sanibel and Captiva. Bay with former Presi- It was a far more intense storm in the national dent Jimmy Carter on news media, which gave it top billing on newscasts Sunday, Nov. 13. and on front pages long before it became a hurricane after it crossed the state and grew in the Atlantic. While the wind hardly blew here and the drizzle was usually little more than a mist, people panicked by the hysterical national media frantically called from the north asking relatives and friends if they were safe. Wednesday the skies were mostly clear and sunny while the national news media was reporting the storm passing over this area. This resulted in some comments being made by local people about the lack of believability of the media. Local television stations behaved toward the storm as if they were chained to their desks and weather maps and could not look out a window for a reality check. Speaking of panic, a rumor went around Sanibel President Carter visits the 'Ding' Wednesday morning that the causeway was about to be closed to traffic; a similar rumor spread quickly Monday, Nov. 14. Police had to reassure people that Darling National Wildlife Refuge what the rumor mongers were saying was not true. By Anne Bellew Berle, Chairman of the BoardTJonal C. O'Brien The Weather Channel had a live remote unit tour- Islander Staff Writer Jr., Vice President for Science" Policy and Editor ing the Sanibel Causeway and island beaches. Former President Jimmy Carter and his wife of Field Notes Susan Drennan arid Directofof the The waves from the storm did produce some possi- Rosalynn visited the J.N. "Ding" Darling National President's Office Mary Joy Breton. Lou Hinds, ble beach erosion. However, Captiva Erosion Wildlife Refuge Sunday Nov. 13,1994. The recre- the manager of the Sanibel refuge, was their "tour Prevention District Administrator Alison Hagerup said the waves would have to be back to normal for ational visit gave the Carters a chance to enjoy guide". awhile before their long-term effect would be known. Sanibel's beauty and wildlife before the president The Carters enjoy birding and spent three hours "It doesn't look to me as bad as the severe cold received the National Audubon Society's Medal mostly walking along Wildlife Drive. The refuge fronts we get," added Hagerup. of Honor at the group's national convention, staff welcomed them with some trepidation Some vacations were undoubtedly damaged by the which was held in Fort Myers. storm. because the tide was high which limits wildlife- The Carters were accompanied by National Perhaps the worst damage the storm did to this Audubon leaders including President Peter A.A. Please see CARTER, page 7 Please see GORDON, page 5 r • . •'" New sewer rates to be discussed Arts & Leisure 16 Classifieds 25 at today's important council meeting Commentary 8 By Steve Ruediger scheduled for a 1:30 p.m. public hearing. The entire range of Environment 6 Islander staff writer fees will be increased. The monthly residential sewer fee On the Water 21 In addition to electing a new mayor and vice mayor, would go from the current $24.34 to $29.43. Police Beat 2 today's (Tuesday, Nov. 22) Sanibel City Council meeting will Following that hearing will be a hearing on the adoption of Recreation 20 feature other important topics. the proposed wastewater master plan. This plan sets the prior- Undoubtedly the most important of these to the finances of ities for the eventual expansion of the Sanibel Sewer System Weather Watch 4 island property owners are items related to the Sanibel Sewer to cover all of Sanibel. Whafs Playing 12 System. The third sewer-related item involves the city joining a What's Cooking? 17 Consideration of the increasing of all sewer rates, guaran- teed sewer revenue charges and sewer connection fees is Please see COUNCIL, page 5 2 THE (SLANDER Tuesday. Nov. 22.1994 Tuesday. Nov. 22,1994 THE ISLANDER 3 AH of the following information came directly from Anything above .08 is considered too drunk to drive Sanibel Police Department reports. POLICE in Florida. Nov. 27 Last week a Sanibel man took a city picnic table A purse was lost on Sanibel Wednesday, Nov. 16. By Anne Bellew sufganiyot (fried donuts) for Sephardic or flame for one day. According to legend, the lamp into the back bay at the end of Dixie Beach BEAT Islander Staff Writer Mediterranean Jews. burned for eight days, not one, thus forming the basis Boulevard to assist him in working on his JetSki. James Everett Norman of Sanibel turned himself in While most Floridians will be shopping for At some point during the evening gifts are often for the festival. Hanukkah, literally translated, means Police told the man to put the table back where he at the police station at City Hall Nov. 16. He told Thanksgiving turkey and all the trimmings, some will exchanged or at least given to the children, including dedication and, in the prayers that accompany the found it and never again use city property in that police there was a warrant for his arrest for violation also be buying an extra bag of potatoes, extra candles the gold-wrapped coins known as Hanukkah gelt. The lighting of candles, Jews annually re-dedicate them- manner. Christopher Carl Shannon Beasley of Conover, of probation. Police checked and found he was accu- and perhaps some gold-wrapped chocolate coins. gift-giving has led some Gentiles to regard the holi- selves to the same values that led their ancestors to N.C., was charged Nov. 17 with improper passing on rate. And, while most Americans will be cleaning their day as a Jewish Christmas when, in fact, it celebrates revolt against religious and cultural oppression. Donald Norval Walker of Fort Myers was charged Sanibel-Captiva Road. kitchens and homes after a long weekend of guests an historical event. Although Hanukkah is probably The central part of the Hanukkah observance is the Friday, Nov. 18, with driving on a suspended license Building material litter was on public access at the and feasting, some will also be preparing home and the best known Jewish holiday, it is actually consid- lighting of a nine-branch candelabra called a meno- at Periwinkle Way and Causeway Road. A German tourist lost his wallet on the beach near north end of Buttonwood Drive Nov. 16. Police foods for continued festivities. ered a minor festival since its origins are historical rah. There are many styles of menorahs - hand-carved the Sanibel Moorings Nov. 17. talked to the builder working on the adjacent lot. He On Sunday, Nov. 27, at sundown, Jewish people all rather than biblical. olive wood from Israel, jewel-encrusted Faberge cre- Joel Martin Bebermeyer of North Port was charged agreed to immediately remove the litter. over the world will begin their celebration of Some 2,000 years ago, a rebel Jewish force led by ations, pottery, whittled, even electric - but nearly all Thursday, Nov. 17, with going 50 mph on Sanibel- David Lee Stoneburner of Sanibel was charged Hanukkah, the eight-day festival that commemorates the Maccabbees rose up against the Syrian/ Greek feature a shammes, one candle that is set apari from Captiva Road. with DUI and failure to sign his summons after he A Sabal Court resident showed police a BB hole in freedom from political and religious aggressors. The king, Antiochus IV, eventually defeating him and dri- the others in some way and is used to light an addi- was found passed out in his car Nov. 17 in the park- a window of her home Nov. 16. date varies slightly from year to year as it corre- ving him out of Jerusalem. A record of the event is tional candle every night to represent the passing A photo album was found on West Gulf Drive ing lot at NationsBank. Police said he had an open, sponds with the ancient Jewish calendar - this year found in the Book of Maccabees, an apocryphal writ- days of the holiday. Nov. 17. half-full bottle of beer between his legs. The engine The SPD received a report of a nude, reckless coming on the heels of Thanksgiving, some years ing not considered part of sacred Hebrew scripture; There are Hanukkah songs and games - one game, was running and the car was in park. He was incoher- JetSki operator in the Blind Pass area Sunday, Nov. closer to Christmas. but the celebration of Hanukkah is noted in the earli- originating in Eastern Europe, features a four-sided Danielle M. Nasti of Sanibel was charged Nov. 17 ent when he was awakened, according to police. 13. Police could not find the alleged JetSki or its During the eight days of Hanukkah, Jewish fami- est Jewish legal codes. In essence, the tiny Hebrew top called a dreidel. Children take turns spinning it with going 56 mph on Sanibel-Captiva Road. Stoneburner blew .242 and .245 on breath tests.