JIKTSr DINING & ENTERTBIWMENT — SECTION B I OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES — RAGES .1 f-21 - .... -Vi. f.-'j-.r- .•>•! rS^ji BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID SANIBEL, FL. PERMIT #33 POSTAL PATRON Vol. 3.7, No. 9 Friday, March 6, 1998 Two Sections, 52 pages Cents The Future? Don't miss the second installment of this special report. Fast Food The City is working on its ordinance banning formula restaurants —it seems there-are still many-unan- swered questions. Seepage 3A Busting Pepper The City's pepper eradica- "tiori plan is gaining teeth. Seepage 3A Phantom Business • Frank Wagner looks at the business impact of the Phan- tom of the Opera coming to the area. Seepage ISA Arts 7B Business Services.. 25A Cartoon 17A Classifieds.......... 22-25 Commentary.. ... 16-18 Crossword 23B Fishing 21B Police Beat 7k /iftove, a Triton's Trumpet by photographer Carlene Brennen. Trumpets might be blowing this week announcing the 6ht Sanibel Shell Fair & Show which will be at the Sanibel Community Center through Sunday. See stories page 3A. Remember When.... 5k Tom U n( armel. _ " • ' Ken Frey Jack - . *, * Dave /Charlie" \ .-- Wileu ® - George mr Qeorge Wendy Angie y Samler Elisabeth Margie Eaton Dorothy ~ Sobzak Kobideau Gasale V«illette Claudia !"" Kohlbrenner Humphrey Lapi ..Lori toretta Tony Janie Frey .; • Smith Dauison . Sprouse Karen John Jim Linda McLaughlin McGowen Lapi Pritchard Mary Lou Marsha Smith . Bailey Clifford Branyon Bell # David McLaughlin ARCHITECTURALLY STUNNING! VALUE-VALUE-VALUE Offering privacy and peace in a pristine island setting. Many 3 bedroom, 2 bath, heated pool, near beach, lots of wonderful features in this "deck" home. 3/4 bedrooms, 3.5 living space. Ideal family home, nice neighborhood, near baths, soaring ceilings, fabulous kitchen, elevator. Gated com- Ding Darling. All this for only $235,000. Call George munity with swimming pool, tennis, beach...priced to sell. Velllette 472-4121,472-8655 after hours. $689,000 Call Mary Lou Bailey 472-1511. GREAT DEEP WATER, DIRECT ACCESS CANAL HOME PMR Features the Finest Selection of Island DUNES COUNTRY CLUB HOME 2 BR-2 BA artist's studio/den/conservatory with 360 de- Real Estate Available on the Internet. This 3/2 home offers a fully enclosed lower level, a large gree view including the Bay...large dock with lift water family room, office, 2 car garage. Master bedroom, dining and electric. Offered beautifully furnished and ready for Relax and Shop in the Comfort of Cyberspace. room & living room open to deck and pool/spa area.Ca// you" $439,900. Call Claudia Frey 472-1511. http://pmrrealty.com Margie Davlson's 24-hour hotline at 1-800-527-8314, Ext. 2154. BEACHFRONT BEAUTY! FOUR BEDROOM WITH POOL LONG VIEWS DOWN THE LAKE Mint condition older Island home offers privacy in THE Fabulous location, small neighborhood off West Gulf in Fantastic views of Little Lake Murex from the large MOST desirable location on the Gulf of Mexico! Sited on area of fine homes. Four bedrooms,, three baths, large screened porch of this recently refurbished 3 BR-2 BA split a high ridge, the views from the residence tore spectacu- pool, 2 screened porches & open deck. Very private and plan home, Large corner lot nearly 2/3 acre. New paint lar. Michigan-built home ready for a new generation. quiet. Very near beach. $369,500. and floor coverings throughout. $249,900. Furnished. $1,225,000. Call Mary Lou Bailey 472-1511. Call Marsha Clifford 472-1511. Call Dave Eaton at 472-1511. CONDOMINIUMS^. CONDOMINIUMS COMMERCIAL BLIND PASS GULF FRONT NEW!! 1 1500 ANDY ROSSE LANE, CAPTIVA Raretownhouse floorplan with 2 screened porches, View Panoramic gulf views from this 3 bedroom, top floor cor- Call for details on Captiva's prime commercial propertyl of Sanctuary and perfect decor. Like new, and great ner unit. Sunrise with your morning coffee, lights from Ft. Sale includes real estate, business, licenses, fixtures and rental income. $259,000. Call Marsha Clifford 472-1511 Myers at night. Only 12 units share large pool & ten- equipment. This well-established property is a favorite n\s.$509,000. Call John or Elisabeth Smith at 472-1511.shopping place for locals and tourists alike. Call Karen Bell at 472-5154. GUARANTEED INCOME CAPTIVA "GET-A-WAY" NEW!! COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE Don't miss the chance to own a great starter condo. A great Captiva "Get-A-Way" with all the amenities! 1 Commercial real estate investment property in Captiva's incredibly good rental income at one of Sanibel's finest BR, 1 BA Tennis Villa by the newly completed Tennis cen- "Village" consisting of 2 separate buildings, a restaurant resorts at an unbelievably low price. $184,500. ter. Screened balcony, realistically priced at $215,000. and duplex. Currently leased. The return on investment Call Marsha Clifford 472-1511. Call Karen Bell at 472-5154. figures, survey, lease and other details available. $895,000. Call Karen Bell at 472-5154. PMR Priscilla Murphy Realty, Inc. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY Toll Free (800) 233-8829 • Main Office (941) 472-1511 • Causeway Office (941) 472-4121 • Captiva Office (941) 472-5154 ISLANDER • Friday, March 6. J998 • 3A The Front Page Islands celebrate 61 st Shell Fair and Show! A passion for shells wins Clair Hendrickson plenty Has the City's live shelling ordinance made of satisfaction — and last year's Perpetual Gold Cup a difference in the number of Sanibel's shells? ByJILLTYRER ByJILLTYRER Islander staff writer Islander staff writer For some people, col- It was just over three years ago that the live shelling ban was passed on Sanibel, lecting shells is a pastime; but what kind of effect it's had depends upon whom you ask. for others, it's a passion. "Very effective," said Bob Sabatino, who's been making his living locally as a Even before you walk shelling guide since the '50s. "Most shelling trips I take out, people are aware" of it." into Clair Hendrickson's Rob Loflin, the City of Sanibel's Natural Resources Director, probably would condo, the tub of lovely be pleased to hear that. "There haven't been any surveys or statistical analysis" to see shells sitting outside the how it's affected the populations, he said, but the live shelling ban is "more of an door gives you a hint which education-type" law. People caught with live shells aren't typically convicted, Loflin category she falls into. said, but they are told about the law and the live shells are thrown back into the water. Inside her home, rain- One benefit of the law is that beachgoers come across the signs about the live bows of shells on shelves (Continued, page 9A) and tables brighten the rooms, which isn't that un- 61st Sanibel Shell Fair and Show usual; shells decorate lots of When: Through Sunday, March 8 Sanibel homes. What is un- usual is the assortment of A Hendrickson exhibit from her home. Where: Sanibel Community Association shells — a trayful of Cost: $2 donation requested for the inside Shell Show; junonias, a shelf of albinos where the 61st Annual Sani- nine states, including outside Fair is free. and cockle shells all in a row bel Shell Fair & Show will, Florida, and Canada, are en- — or three. be taking place. Hendrickson tering 165 or more exhibits Highlights: Scientific and artistic exhibits, craft displays, Some of her speci- is pitting her shells against in the division, said Jim live shell exhibit, food and beverages. mens will be on display this others' specimens in the sci- Whitehouse, chairman of the weekend at the Sanibel entific division. scientific division and presi- Parking: Free Community Association, About 57 people from (Continued, page 9A) Brainstorming: What is the future of Sanibel? said, "I can't help but think "I've spoken out disaster and say, 'There but Special Report: The Sanibel Planning Commission and of St. Armand's Key. I'd against paving shell roads for the grace of God go we.' hate to see us become that... to no avail. It apparently is We've always looked on others*brainstormed recently about the future of Sanibel. In Destination entertainment, difficult for Council to storms as a summer issue, destination dining, destina- hold out against paving. but we need to remember this two-part series, we review what they said, with the hope tion shopping—they all go "But the land acqui- that the number one concern that it inspires others also to look ahead. hand in hand." sition program means in any planning should be to Another issue that there is ever less potential reduce the effect of natural ByANNEBELLEW important and several sponse to a suggestion that concerns her is the ongoing for additional traffic; and disasters on this island. Islander staff writer members of the public pre- Sanibel look at Naples' 3rd paving of shell roads. "For there have been no new "Leaving appropriate- The Feb. 24 Planning sented matters of concern Street/5th Avenue South the convenience of the resi- roads except for the Gulf ness out of it, I admire Commission meeting was to them. redevelopments — that the dents? I don't think so. Drive connector since Naples for what they did: the devoted to a discussion of At the end of Part I City discourage any further We'll have the whole island Sanibel became a city." step they took took courage planning for the future of of this Special Report, development on Peri- paved over before long if Commissioner — to take a look at what's Sanibel. The commission- newly appointed Commis- winkle. we keep this up." Steve Greenstein: there and see if it could be ers came prepared with lists' sioner Phyllis Bogen had Commenting on the Planning Director "1 can't help but better, then work through a of issues each one deemed suggested — partly in re- Naples redevelopment, she Bruce Rogers: look at Orlando's tornado (Continued, page 27A) What? No Blimpies? City puts muscle behind ByJILLTYRER ; Islander staff writer pepper-removal project Residents and business people packed Council Chambers a year and a half ago as Council debated a ByJILLTYRER law that banned so-called, "formula restaurants." But Islander staff writer the scene was very different Tuesday, when Council If you own property on the east end of Sanibel that has Brazilian pepper on it, discussed tightening the noose even more.