Rocking to the Island beat: Music on Sanibel

Ahh , the tranquility of tropical barrier islands.

The waves.

The shells.

The birds.

The star filled skies.

Everything in our natural world here puts you at ease, makes you feel calm, enhances your inner peace.

One can be quite content just sitting on the lanai at night listening to the breezes blow through  the palms,  or perhaps you prefer bringing out some music of your own..... and listening to your favorite  songs as you enjoy the meal you have prepared yourself.

But sometimes all that bliss needs a bit of a change.  You know the old saying about too much of a good thing.

So where do you go to put some bubbles into your champagne and change your place and pace?

There are a few good options.

One of the prettiest venues on the Island, Traditions offers not only a Gulf view, good food and great service, it also has some terrific entertainment as well. You would need to check ahead of time for other dates and performances, but an upcoming event might bring you there soon.  One of Southwest Florida’s favorite Duo’s, DUSK will be at Traditions On The Beach on December 30.   Seen all over local venues, Kathy & Dean Winkelmann will be performing the best variety of classic jazz, modern pop & rock music that has you moving to the music.

If you are looking for something a little more casual, you could consider Doc Ford's Sanibel where live music can be heard just about every night.  Just off Island Inn Road across from Bailey's Shopping Center,  aside from delicious Caribbean style food, Doc Ford's has a literary history as the Doc Ford namesake is THE Doc Ford.  If you’re hoping to run into Randy Wayne White, the author of the Doc Ford series of novels,  then this is the place to do it as he can be found writing here on many nights. With 2 dining rooms and an outdoor patio, where you decide to enjoy the ambiance is up to you!

Want something more beachy?  Discover the award-winning Keylime Bistro situated in the middle of the Historic Captiva Island Inn Village. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner; they have a wide array of dishes sure to please the most discerning palates.

Stop by for breakfast and try their Bistro Style Corned Beef Hash and Eggs or Crab Cake Benedict. Prefer to sleep-in and join us for lunch? Enjoy their superb seafood antipasto appetizer or delicious grouper sandwich. Late afternoon or dinner fit your needs better? Check out the shrimp scampi, key lime pasta or tender steak filets. And don't forget an award-winning key lime pie for dessert.

Relax inside or dine outside and enjoy the fresh air and Florida sunshine. Key Lime Bistro has  live music daily and a full-service bar. And when you are finished; feel free to stroll the quaint shops and check out the local general store and the historic Captiva Island Inn.

But we don't want to reveal all our "special treasures" now and hope you will let us know if you find any great places you would like to share.

Spotlight on SCCF

Among the jewels in Sanibel's crown is the Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation.

Known and loved as SCCF, this organization was founded in 1967 and is the largest private landowner on Sanibel Island.  SCCF manages 1200 acres on tiny Sanibel with an additional 600 acres on even smaller Captiva.

We just recently discovered a tract of land that the Foundation owns adjacent to the Bailey Tract.  The area is aptly titled Sanibel Gardens Trail, and it is a delightful short walk with many bird watching opportunities.  The several ponds and lagoons are filled with wading birds and the trees are abundant with woodland and song birds.  So many sights and songs~

But if birding is not your thing, you can pick up island history, geography and biology right on the land owned and managed by SCCF.  In an effort to educate the public on their newest preserve, SCCF offers a one hour walking tour of their 28-acre property along Periwinkle Way.

Nine acres of the beautiful land served as the Bailey family's farm for many years; three generations of the Bailey family lived in the historic house that sits on the property today.

Landscaping for Wildlife Educator at SCCF, Dee Serage-Century heads the tour which begins at 8:30 a.m. at the west end of Shipley Trail. Serage-Century, who has lived on Sanibel for the past 35 years, tells the guests SCCF's history shortly after they arrive and about invasive plant species on the island. She said some of the worst have been the Brazilian pepper, air potatoes and the java plum.

"We release beetles to help with invasive species," Serage-Century said.

Along the trail, she points out a lone papaya tree which originally originated in South America and Mexico. Serage-Century said that papaya trees were around when the Calusa Indians lived on the island.


During the special tour, she briefly talked about the old windmill that was a part of the Bailey's farm. She said that SCCF volunteers uncovered it after they purchased the property in 2011. She also talks about the pavilion that was recently built for special events and the Devitt Pond Overlook.


Near the end of tour, she led guests to the newly planted demonstration gardens which seemed to be everyone's favorite of the tour. Their nursery is one of the first native plant nurseries in the state of Florida. Their native flower garden has taken off since it was planted last year.

"The flowers were planted as seedlings last summer. It was an experiment to see if we could keep doing it," she said.

One of the main reasons SCCF does the tour is so they can demonstrate to the public what they do as an organization.


"We do it so people understand what we do for a living which is habitat management and restoration, Serage-Century said. At the end of the tour, I hope they end up with a passion for protecting land for wildlife as well as themselves because it works both ways. I hope I spark an interest in native plants that are built for wildlife and pollinators, not just visually for us."

Dee shows guests the map of Shipley Trail. ASHLEY GOODMAN Native flowers in the demonstration garden. ASHLEY GOODMAN Devitt Pond Overlook. ASHLEY GOODMAN The Bailey house. ASHLEY GOODMAN

Sanibel Library Offers Dazzling Line Up of Authors

When most people think of Sanibel, they envision its natural charms.

The miles of beach to walk, hundreds of shells to collect and dozens of birds to see all attract visitors from around the globe.

But , for a tiny barrier island, 12 miles in length with more topicality than human population, Sanibel is also a hub for cultural activities.

There are concerts, lectures and art showings on a regular basis.

And, most delightfully, the Sanibel Library is rated as one of the best in the entire state.

The Sanibel Public Library has been named a ‘5 Star’ library by the Library Journal. This is their highest ‘star’ rating. The Library Journal Index is a national rating system designed to recognize  and promote America’s public libraries, to help improve the pool of  nationally collected library statistics, and to encourage library  self-evaluation.

But the high rating does not limit itself to the extensive collection or even number of amenities offered to those who use it.

It is also based on the offerings of the library to encourage people to read and know more.

The author series at the library has been free standing in excellence featuring writers who have crafted great books.

The 2016-2017 season coming up is a stellar example of how the library strives to show case the best.

Kicking off the winter on December 13 is B.A. Shapiro. 

B.A. Shapiro is the New York Times bestselling author of The Muralist, The Art Forger, The Safe Room, Blind Spot, See No Evil, Blameless, and Shattered Echoes. She has also written four screenplays and the non-fiction book, The Big Squeeze. The Art Forger has been on many bestseller lists and has won many awards including The 2013 New England Book Award for Fiction. She lives in Boston and is working on her eighth novel.

In her 2015 novel, The Muralist, B.A. Shapiro illuminates the art world of the 1940s by weaving together historical figures like Eleanor Roosevelt, Lee Krasner, and Mark Rothko, with fictional characters, in a story about the life and mysterious disappearance of a brilliant young artist on the eve of World War II.

In addition to her print books in the Sanibel Public Library collection, B.A. Shapiro’s eBooks and audiobooks are available for download via Hoopla and OverDrive apps.

There are equally great follow ups, but we won't spill the beans just yet.  If your curiosity is beyond containment, however, you can click here and get the full details: http://www.sanlib.org/whats-new.html  The library is a special place, and one that should not be missed no matter what time of year  or length of your stay.

Ice Cream on Sanibel: So Many choices, So Little Time

Choosing a place to eat on Sanibel is difficult enough.

There are good restaurants, cafes and pizzerias from end to end on the Island.

But choosing the place to get ice cream may be even more of a challenge, a very delicious challenge.

It's not that we have so many options in places to get that sweet , creamy treat; but those that we have are all so tempting.

In fact, looking at the flavors and alternatives, one might be tempted to skip dinner altogether and head out for dessert.

But we suggest you eat a bit lighter and save some room for the final touch.

One of your options for ice cream will have your head swirling with delight.  The new Love Boat is a lovely addition to Sanibel's choices. Unique to Southwest Florida, Love Boat has over 50 flavors of delicious homemade ice cream, many of them very creative, such as cayenne. Love Boat is a charming little shop in Jerry’s Plaza with some in-door and out-door seating. When deciding whether to stop for a cone or shake, consider Erma Bombeck’s wisdom: “Seize the moment, remember all those women on the Titanic who waived off the dessert cart!”

And while Love Boat is the newest addition, our tried and true traditions are equally appealing.  Pinocchio's Original Italian Ice Cream is a Sanibel tradition since 1980. You cannot miss the shop with its kitchy appeal from the bright green walls and colorful benches to the crowds enjoying their generously sized Pinocchio’s ice cream treats with family and friends. All Pinocchio’s ice cream, gelato, frozen yogurt, sorbet, sherbet and Italian custards are handcrafted daily in small batches in their onsite Pinocchio’s Laboratory from the finest and freshest ingredients.  The flavors are unique. The ice cream is fresh (If they make it on Monday, they typically serve their ice cream on Tuesday or Wednesday.) The portions are generous and the staff works hard to make sure their Customers experience at Pinocchio’s is enjoyable.

Each Pinocchio's product deserves a special treat and for more than 20 years, it has been an animal cracker prominently displayed on top of every product they serve and which is part of the Pinocchio's Brand recognition. Do they ever run out of crackers? "NEVER." said Stephanie. "everyone expects it. If it does not have an animal on top, then it's not from Pinocchio's."

The Sanibel Bean is the place "to see" and "be seen" in casual island surroundings. Bring the whole family or come alone. The Bean even welcomes polite dogs. Have cozy conversations.Read the paper or browse the web with their free wifi service. Enjoy a leisurely cup of coffee or get a to-go food order. Treat yourself to the special taste of their unique specialties. From fresh fruits to hand-dipped ice cream, grilled Italian sandwiches, bagels, muffins, soup and salads, they have something special for everyone! Hot coffees, iced and frozen coffees, coffee alternatives, smoothies, cold drinks, juices and more.

Similarly, the Island's Dairy Queen, a brazier, offers hamburgers and hotdogs so you can fill up on one stop.

Now Dairy Queen can not be fairly compared to smaller , boutique ice cream parlors.

But as DQ fans from way back, we would have to rate this option high.  DQ is consistent.  The same creamy Vanilla you love in Wisconsin can be found on our small tropical island.   The same is true for the deep chocolatey taste that may top your cone or fill your cup, will taste just like the ones you loved growing up in Brooklyn.  There is something to be said for familiarity and consistency, and we have said it.  In addition, the cost of getting your sweet tooth satisfied in DQ is most affordable.  This , too, has a value, especially for the larger family who may be paying more attention to their wallet than their bellies.

No matter what, you can't go wrong, and that can be said for the entire island~

East End, West End; Hard choices on Sanibel

Albeit, Sanibel Island is an intimate space.

Only 12 miles long with two major roads , one on the north side and one on the south side, it would appear that location is not really an issue.

And though we have written about this previously, there are advantages to certain locations.

The East End puts the vacationer closer to the causeway and easier access to and from the island.

The West End puts the vacationer closer to Captiva and the charms of our little neighbor.

Mid-island has its pleasures as well.  Not the least of which is the closer encounters to a variety of restaurants and shops.

But the bird watcher and photographer may want to fine tune location based on beach highlights when it comes to the Avian species.

The West End beaches, most known for the best shelling on Sanibel would be a hands down decision based on abundance and variety of shells.

Yet birding on either beach can bring very different levels of satisfaction.

The birds are going to be the same special variety either place.

There will be Laughing Gulls, Sanderlings, Sandpipers and Ruddy Turnstone on both East and West end beaches.

Similarly, you are as likely to see Brown Pelicans on either beach.

That said, we have always automatically assumed that the West End beach would be superior for the watch and the click, given its endless nature on and around the sandy respite.

But several visits to the East End recently revealed a few feathered treasures.  There was the day we observed an Osprey not up in a tree or flying over the water, but walking along the shore, seemingly not the least disturbed by the people on the beach.  That was quite remarkable.

Similarly, the hordes of Terns, Royal, Sandwich and Caspian, that we have seen and clicked on he West End, are on the East End in equal numbers.  The advantage on the East is that , rather than being in colonies a mile from the entrance , the Terns are in smaller groups dotting the shore line up and down the beach.

And, quite astonishingly, the tide pools that catch up the bait fish on the East End attract dozens of Brown Pelicans onto the beach.  They line up along the pools, and do not seem particularly fearful about the people passing by.

So for those who have affection for our fine feathered friends and enjoy looking at nature through the lens of a camera, there are delights on either end of the island you will not want to miss.

Bumper season of Turtles on Sanibel

If you have ever visited Sanibel and neighboring Captiva, you have not doubt noticed the lights out policies on both islands.

That is probably the most visible sign of the protective measures taken to ensure that our nesting and hatchling turtles do not get distracted from the task at hand.

And getting to the sea is the task at hand.

Lights may disorient even the most dedicated beach traveler, so we have no street lights on either island and have begun a program to guarantee that lights on homes and in condo complexes comply with what is needed for a safe journey to the sea.

But lighting is only one component of sea turtle safety.

Others include protection of sea turtle nests on the beach which means warning signs and cordoning of those areas.  It also necessitates the leash law as roaming dogs might be destructive.

There is a lot of effort put into the protection of sea turtles, as we view them as our jewels.

And there is a lot of jubilation when there are good indications our protective measures worked.

Such is the case at this time.

This past August an assessment was done of sea turtle nests and the findings were cause for a super beach party.  The turtle nest count for the East  and West end of Sanibel showed that 164 and 430 Loggerhead Turtle nests were found , respectively, on the two ends of the island.  That may not sound like a huge number, but it is a very nice increase from the previous year when the tallies showed 120 and 376.

We are hopeful the number of hatchlings,  which will be evident this month , is as encouraging.

So why all the hoopla about sea turtles?

Nearly all species of sea turtle are classified as Endangered. Slaughtered for their eggs, meat, skin and shells, sea turtles suffer from poaching and over-exploitation. They also face habitat destruction and accidental capture in fishing gear. Climate change has an impact on turtle nesting sites.

And even when not directly threatened, the number of sea turtles who never make it to the sea is staggering.  Sadly, only an estimated one in 1 to 1,000 will survive to adulthood. The natural obstacles faced by young and adult sea turtles are immense, so Sanibel Island feels a mandate to do everything imaginable to help these special creatures.

When you come to our little tropical island and pay attention to the regulations, you are doing your part to ensure their survival. We thank you~

The Friendliest Birds on Sanibel Island

For those as enthusiastic about birding as they are about shelling, Sanibel Island is an unbeatable destination.

And it is not just that we are the home for 300 species of birds, the diversity is also stunning.

We have big birds, little ones, mid sized ones and everything in between.

We have birds that love the beach, birds that love the tree tops, birds that love the wetlands and birds that love the scrublands.

But one of the things that most distinguishes our birds is not so much what they eat or even what habitat they choose.  The one defining aspect of our birds from an observation standpoint is the level of acceptance they appear to give to human intrusion.  And we must be honest and say that humans arrived on Sanibel much after birds did, so the two legged visitors are clearly intruders on the birds' island.

But , clearly, the birds are going with the flow.

They are staying put , and we are very happy for their loyalty.

It allows us to take a close up and personal look at our feathered friends---when they are in agreement with such an action.

And by and large, our waders are very tolerant of human company.  One can stand just 20 feet away from a Great Egret or Little Snowy Egret , especially when they are intent on their fishing expedition.  Similarly, a few of our shore birds are downright mellow.  Black Bellied Plovers will literally stand and pose on our shell-rich shores, and are very recognizable because of their larger size and distinctive black bellies. 

And there is no more obliging a woodland bird than our special Northern Mockingbird.  Not just pretty, but superbly talented as well, those looking to take a photo of a Mockingbird will be pleased at how long they will perch charmingly and allow the camera to capture their splendor.

By and large our herons, whether they be Little Blues or Green, are exceptionally at ease with two leggers.    And they make excellent subjects for the camera lenses.

But we must warn you that not every bird on Sanibel is inclined to let you see it, let alone snap a photograph.  Each fall, winter and spring, we have dozens of species of warblers and other small birds migrate through Sanibel.  It is a wonderful but fleeting sight to watch the rosy cheeked Cape May Warbler, the striking Black and White Warbler, and the Hooded Warbler flit around Ding Darling.  But unless you are supremely lucky or remarkably patient, you will only getting a fleeting look and a blurred photograph.  And when it comes to the elusive Mangrove Cuckoo, good luck with that one.  We know people who have been looking for this bird for 3 decades and still have not sighted this shy bird.

Overall, however, the numbers ----and species----are on your side.  Sanibel has a huge number of friendly winged creatures just waiting for your arrival!