PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID FT MYERS, FL PERMIT #5718 Postal Customer Read Us Online at ECRWSS IslandSunNews.com NEWSPAPER VOL. 20, NO. 28 SANIBELSanibel & CAPTIVA & Captiva ISLANDS, Islands FLORIDA JANUARY 4, 2013 JANUARY SUNRISE/SUNSET: 4 7:17 • 5:49 5 7:17 • 5:50 6 7:18 • 5:51 7 7:18 • 5:51 8 7:18 • 5:52 9 7:18 • 5:53 10 7:18 • 5:54 New Year’s Eve Party Adam Satinsky, Jennifer Kozbial, and John T. Posadas of the Ars Nova String Trio Classical Afternoon concerts; and stu- BIG ARTS Classical dent/child tickets are free with a paying adult. Afternoons Series The Ars Nova String Trio is establish- The Tritaik Family – Paul, Rachel and Liam – rang in the new year at the Sanibel Recreation ing itself as an important presence in the Center’s Poppin’ Hoppin’ & Bubblin’ Into 2013 celebration photo by Jeff Lysiak Presents String Trio chamber music world. The members of see more photos on page 8 IG ARTS will present a classical the trio have performed in many of the concert featuring Ars Nova String greatest halls including Carnegie Hall, the BTrio on Sunday, January 6 at 3:30 Kennedy Center, Severance Hall, and in p.m. Tickets are general admission $32, international venues. They have experi- Classical Afternoon series: $109 for four ence performing in festivals including 13th Annual Sanibel continued on page 7 Polar Bear Plunge Folk Veteran Tom Rush Entertains With Wry Wit, Warm Vocal Style IG ARTS presents a concert by popular folk and blues legend BTom Rush at 8 p.m. on Saturday, January 12. Rush is a gifted musician and performer whose shows offer a musical celebration. His distinctive guitar style, wry humor and warm, expressive voice have made him both a legend and a lure to audiences around the world. Rush’s impact on the American music scene has been profound. He helped shape the folk revival in the 1960s and the renaissance of the ’80s and ’90s, his music having left its stamp on generations of artists. James Taylor once told Rolling Stone, “Tom was not only one of my early heroes, but also one of my main influenc- es.” Country music star Garth Brooks has credited Rush with being one of his top five musical influences. Tom Rush photo by Michael Wiseman Signed by Elektra in 1965, Rush recorded three albums for the label, culminating in The Circle Game in 1968, which included his signature hit, No Regrets. Rush toured extensively throughout the 1970s “Papa Bear” John Carney led the ceremonial singing of the Polar Bear Anthem and released several albums. photo by Jeff Lysiak continued on page 5 see more photos on page 2 2 ISLAND SUN - JANUARY 4, 2013 From page 1 Polar Bear Plunge Hundreds of participants turned out on Tuesday afternoon for the 13th annual Polar Bear Plunge at Tarpon Bay Beach on Sanibel photos by Jeff Lysiak Zoe Raffa-Filkins, 3, of Wilmette, Illinois and Brandon LaBonte of Windsor, California Eileen and Vernon Roberts from Sanibel The polar bears turned and waved to the crowd before entering the water and Great Falls, Virginia January 11 – February 16 8 PM Jan. 23 & Feb. 6 2 PM Matinée $42 Child 17 & Under $20 Jason Loete Elizabeth Urbanczyk John Ramsey as King Arthur as Lady of the Lake as Sir Robin —The New York Times Book & Lyrics by ERIC IDLE Music by JOHN DU PREZ “… a no-holds-barred smash hit.” & ERIC IDLE From the original screenplay by Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin Original Broadway Production produced by Boyett Ostar Productions, The Shubert Organization, Arielle Tepper Madover, Stephanie Show Sponsors McClelland/Lawrence Horowitz, Elan V McAllister/Allan S. Gordon, Independent Producers Network, Roy Furman, GRS Associates, Jam Theatricals, TGA Entertainment, Live Nation Presented through special arrangement with Theatrical Rights Worldwide www.theatricalrights.com Season Spponsor ISLAND SUN - JANUARY 4, 2013 3 cally by author, and non-fiction by subject. High blood pressure increases the risk Proceeds benefit local non-profit agencies of stroke, heart attack, heart failure, kid- Biblical Studies: Happy Birthday supported by the church. ney disease and even blindness in some The sale is held in the Rookery cases. The Sanibel Fire District’s compli- The Letter To Bookery on the ground level beyond mentary screenings are offered as a first the courtyard garden at the Sanibel step in determining if further examination The Romans Congregational United Church of by a health care professional is necessary. ear the end of his career as an Christ, 2050 Periwinkle Way (opposite The Sanibel Recreation Center is apostle, Paul of Tarsus – St. Paul Periwinkle Place Shopping Center). Call located at 3880 Sanibel-Captiva Road. N– planned to take his first trip to 472-0497 for more information. For more information, call 472-0345 or the capital of the Empire in Rome. A visit www.mysanibel.com. Christian congregation had already been established there before Paul’s arrival, and so, in anticipation of their meeting, Paul American Legion continued on page 10 Post 123 News n Sunday, January 6, American Legion Post 123 will serve spa- Oghetti and meatballs all day long. On Tuesday, January 8, the Ladies Auxiliary will conduct a meeting at 6 p.m. On Wednesday, January 9, there will be an American Legion general meeting at 6 p.m. On Sunday, January 13, barbeque ribs and chicken will be served from 1 to 8 J. Charles (Charlie) McCullough, II p.m. harlie McCullough celebrated The Monday Night 8-Ball Pool League his 90th birthday on January 3, will resume play on January 7 at 5 p.m. C2013. Texas Hold’em is played every Thursday Charlie picked up a camera when he night at 7 p.m. and Saturdays at 4:30 was 13 years old in 1936 and never put p.m. New players are always welcome. it down. His photos chronicle the lives of Every Friday, Post 123 serves a six- the first settlers of Sanibel. The early days ounce ribeye steak sandwich all day. Stop on Sanibel were anything but glamorous in and try one, or treat yourself to one and Charlie’s photographs really capture of the half-pound burgers. Check out the the way it was on the island before luxu- daily specials and the entire menu. Food ries like a causeway, bug spray, air condi- is served all day, every day. The public is tioning, electricity and indoor plumbing. welcome. We wish you good health and happi- American Legion Post 123 is open ness for many years to come! Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. With love, from your many friends and to 9 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 9 family p.m. We are located at mile marker 3 on Sanibel-Captiva Road. For more informa- tion, call 472-9979. Recycled Book Sale At SCUCC Complimentary he popular “Recycled” Book Sale at Blood Pressure the Sanibel Congregational United TChurch of Christ will be open to Screenings the public from 1 to 3 p.m. January through March. he Sanibel Fire & Rescue District Included in the sale will be gently used will offer complimentary blood books, DVD’s, CD’s, puzzles, games, Tpressure screenings at the Sanibel jewelry, small gift items and lots of other Recreation Center on Monday, January bargains. Fiction is arranged alphabeti- 7 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Tahitian Gardens, Sanibel • 239-395-5353 www.SynergySportswear.com 4 ISLAND SUN - JANUARY 4, 2013 was intended to replace an abandoned commitment to a “beach carrying capacity” The Virtue Of Clear Commitments study. Many of us had hoped that short of a carrying capacity study, the Council would by Larry Schopp, Board Member, Committee of the Islands at least make an unambiguous commitment to protect the island’s natural beaches as wildlife habitat. hat lesson from the U.S. Constitution applies to a recent The Planning Commission had at first proposed the following unobjectionable pro- City Council decision about preserving our beaches? vision: “Development, redevelopment and commercial activity shall not degrade use of W Answer: One that teaches us the importance of clear the beach as habitat for indigenous and migratory wildlife.” and unambiguous commitments – something that is lacking in the A last-minute change policy adopted by the City Council. Let’s take a look. Then, at the last minute, the Commission decided on a change so that only activi- When the United States Constitution was drafted, the need for ties that “significantly” degrade the use of the beach as habitat would be prohibited. clarity was a given. What would be the point in writing a constitu- Committee of the Islands advised the City Council that we found the new language tion for a new nation that was ambiguous? Granted, even seem- deficient because it watered down an otherwise unambiguous commitment to the point ingly clear words can sometimes mean different things to different where Sanibel Plan would actually condone all but major encroachments on the beach. people. However, the framers – who wrote clearly and eloquently At the Council’s invitation, we proposed the following simple, unambiguous sen- – sought to minimize the likelihood that that would happen. tence: “Development, redevelopment and commercial activity shall not diminish the Just look at the First Amendment as an example: usefulness of the beach as habitat for indigenous and migratory wildlife.” “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohib- The city staff, for reasons that are not clear, instead suggested only that the word iting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; “measurably” be substituted for “significantly” without explaining how the insertion of or of the right of the people to peacefully assemble, and to petition the govern- either qualifier would strengthen the protection of the beaches as wildlife habitat as ment for a redress of grievances.” compared to the language Committee of the Islands had proposed.