www.Sanibel-Captiva.org
The Islands of
SANIBEL
C A P T I VA
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
1
Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce 2013-2014 Board of Directors Mark Anderson Benchmark General Contractors 16836 McGregor Blvd Fort Myers, FL 33908 manderson@benchmark-gc.com
Michael Miller – Past Chair Michael P. Miller CPA, P.L. 1648 Periwinkle Way Suite D Sanibel, FL 33957 mikemiller@ sancapcpa.com
Doug Babcock Tween Waters Inn P.O. Box 249 Captiva, FL 33924 dougbabcock22@gmail.com
Robert Monk Murty & Monk, P.A. 1633 Periwinkle Way Suite A Sanibel, FL 33957 rmonk@murtymonk.com
Mark Blust Timbers Restaurant 703 Tarpon Bay Road Sanibel, FL 33957 mblust@prawnbroker.com Blanaid Colley Hillgate Communications 2451 Periwinkle Way Sanibel, FL 33957 Blanaid@hillgate.biz Chris Davison Island Inn 3111 West Gulf Drive Sanibel, FL 33957 chrisd@islandinnsanibel.com Dru Anne Doyle Ocean’s Reach Condominiums Sanibel, FL 33957 drudoyle@mindspring.com Lee Ellen Harder - Secretary BIG ARTS 900 Dunlop Sanibel, FL 33957 lharder@bigarts.org Barb Harrington RLR Investments, LLC 2340 Periwinkle Way, Suite K Sanibel, FL 33957 barb.harrington@RLRLLC.com Chris Heidrick - Chair Heidrick & Company P.O. Box 59 Sanibel, FL 33957 chris@sanibelinsurance.com Ken Kouril The Sanctuary Golf Club 2801 Wulfert Road Sanibel, FL 33957 kkouril@sanctuarygc.net
The Islands of
2
SANIBEL
C A P T I VA
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Chris Pendleton Edison & Ford Winter Estates P.O. Box 2368 Fort Myers, FL 33902 cpendleton@efwefla.org Fran Peters – Chair Elect Island Vacations of Sanibel & Captiva, Inc. 1101 Periwinkle Way Suite 108 Sanibel, FL 33957 fran@sanibelislandvacations.com Donna Puma Pinocchio’s Original Italian Ice Cream 362 Periwinkle Way Sanibel, Fl 33957 dmtp@aol.com Jeff Shuff - Treasurer Tween Waters Inn P.O. Box 249 Captiva, FL 33924 jshuff@tween-waters.com Sonja Smith Suitor Condominium Association of Sanibel, Inc. P. O. Box 1041 Sanibel, FL 33957 suitors@earthlink.net Ric Base President 1159 Causeway Road Sanibel, Florida 33957 ric@sanibel-captiva.org
Official Publication of The Islands of
SANIBEL
C A P T I VA
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
1159 Causeway Road Sanibel Island, Florida 33957 Phone: 239-472-1080 Fax: 239-395-0783
www.Sanibel-Captiva.Org EDITOR & DESIGN Bridgit Stone-Budd
LAYOUT & GRAPHICS Lorraine Milano
CONTRIBUTORS Chris Heidrick Bridgit Stone-Budd
CHAMBER PHOTOGRAPHY Hillgate Communications
CHAMBER STAFF Ric Base, President Steve Ehrhart, Director of Operations Bridgit Stone-Budd, Director of Marketing Tyrone Humbles, Promotions - Chamber Tour Bus VISITOR CENTER STAFF Candice Thompson, Visitor Center Supervisor Bob Bechhold, Anne Liese, Allen Myers, Don Oglander, Barry Solomon, Jim Slattery George Veillette, Lisa Williams, Julianne Kirkpatrick The Sanibel-Captiva Islands Chamber NewsMagazine is published quarterly by The Sanibel-Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce. Circulation: 6000 Online: www.Sanibel-Captiva.Org
For advertising or submissions, please contact Bridgit @ 239-728-1920 or Services@Sanibel-Captiva.Org For subscriptions or address changes, please contact Steve @ 239-472-8759 or Support@Sanibel-Captiva.Org
Our Mission: To Promote the Prosperity of Our Members and Preserve the Quality of Life in Our Community
“They Paved Paradise And Put Up A Parking Lot” – Joni Mitchell, Big Yellow Taxi
The Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce parking lot has reopened after almost 3 weeks of renovations. The parking lot now has pervious pavers and 2 detention ponds to help control run-off to protect our beautiful and fragile environment. Chamber member GiGi Design Group was the contractor and did a beautiful job. No more pot holes and dust bowl!
Before
After
Here is a picture of the 1st family that pulled into the newly paved lot. The Swing Family from Cincinnati, OH. Christi, Jenn, Kim and Tom. Congratulations! A special thank you to our own island local, Ms. Sarah Ashton, for the cover concept!
www.Sanibel-Captiva.org
The Islands of
SANIBEL
C A P T I VA
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
3
C H A M B E R Chamber Business Luncheon at The Captiva Island Yacht Club Sponsored by A Better Bugman
Chamber Business Luncheon at The Sundial Resort & Spa Sponsored by Shell Point Retirement Community
P A P A R A Z Z I The Islands of
4
SANIBEL
C A P T I VA
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Our Mission: To Promote the Prosperity of Our Members and Preserve the Quality of Life in Our Community
Chamber Schedule of Events 2013-2014 CHAMBER BUSINESS LUNCH
CHAMBER AFTER HOURS
BOARD of DIRECTORS MEETING 3rd Thursday of the Month 8:00 AM
RIBBON CUTTINGS &
CHAMBER TOUR
SPECIAL EVENTS
BUS SCHEDULE
2nd Tuesday of the Month - 11:30 PM – 1:30 PM
3rd Monday of the Month 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
*LOCATION, SPONSOR and SPEAKER
*LOCATION and HOSTS
Starfish Grille at the Holiday Inn
Ribbon Cuttings 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM
September 10th
September 16th
September 19th
September 25th Ribbon Cutting
See our Online Events Calendar for more details September
Shell Point Sponsored By News-Press Media Group Speaker: Peter Dys - Shell Point October 8th Captiva Island Yacht Club Sponsored By SW Florida Distributing Speaker: Rae Ann Wessel - SCCF November 12th Sundial Beach Resort & Spa Edison & Ford Winter Estates Speaker: Chris Pendleton December 10th Sanctuary Golf Club Sponsored by: R S Walsh Landscaping Speaker: Lee Ellen Harder January 14th Sundial Beach Resort & Spa Sponsored by: Rosier Insurance Speaker: Judi Newman - Identity Theft February 11th
Starfish Grille
Doc Fords - Captiva
SeaFood and Nautical Festival - 9/6 Treasure Coast Beerfest - 9/20
October 21st IL Cielo
October 17th
November 18th Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum
November 21st
Holtz, Mahshie, Decosta, PA
November 6th Ribbon Cutting
November
Rosier Insurance
Calusa Bluewater Festival NASCAR Race-11/15 Villages Trade Show-11/28
November 13th Ribbon Cutting
December 16th Chamber Open House
October
October 2nd Ribbon Cutting
December 19th Note location change
Enchanted Ballroom December 6 & 7 Luminary Luminary
December 6 & 7 Luminary @ Bailey's
Sanctuary Golf Club 4pm
January 27th - Date Change CIP's Place
January 16th
February 17th
February 20th
March 11th
March 17th SCCF
March 20th
April 8th NO Business Lunch This Month
April 21st No After Hours This Month
April 29th Annual Meeting - TBD
January 19th Chamber Expo
2014 events will fill up fast! Claim your Luncheon Sponsorship and/or After Hours Host now!
Are You Our Friend on Facebook?
Follow us on facebook
www.Sanibel-Captiva.org
Our Chamber Mobile App The Islands of
SANIBEL
C A P T I VA
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
5
A Word From Your Chair The New Chamber Parking Lot… A symbol of several Chamber priorities Over 180,000 visitors each year will find a new welcome mat at the front door of the islands…the new Chamber Parking Lot. I’d like to take a moment to point out how our new parking lot is a symbol of so much more. We all know our guests visit the islands of Sanibel and Captiva for the pristine environment, though some have told us they would like to see updates in other areas. The new paver parking lot is a great example of such an improvement. And, in keeping with a core principle of our Chamber, the new parking lot is more than an aesthetic improvement…it is an environmental improvement. For the past 50 years, the old sand/gravel parking lot had no storm water management plan. Before this project storm water would simply run off and carry surface pollutants directly into environmentally sensitive areas. About 1/3 of the cost of our project went to the creation of two retention areas and an engineered storm water retention plan in full compliance with City requirements. I’m proud we were able to complete this project “in harmony with our sanctuary island environment”. This project is also an excellent example of our very healthy relationship with the City. The parking lot is actually located on City property. The Chamber and the City entered into a 30-year lease prior to the undertaking of the project and the City could not have been more supportive in its review and approval of the project. I look forward to continuing our close work with the City as the topic of Commercial Redevelopment continues to evolve. I also hope our members see the new parking lot as an example of the City’s willingness to work with property owners who are considering improvements to their properties “in harmony with our sanctuary island environment”.
Chris Heidrick, Chair
The Islands of
6
SANIBEL
C A P T I VA
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Our Mission: To Promote the Prosperity of Our Members and Preserve the Quality of Life in Our Community
www.Sanibel-Captiva.org
The Islands of
SANIBEL
C A P T I VA
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
7
We’ve Got Florida Covered! Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce 2013 Tour Bus Schedule
The Islands of
8
SANIBEL
C A P T I VA
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Our Mission: To Promote the Prosperity of Our Members and Preserve the Quality of Life in Our Community
www.Sanibel-Captiva.org
The Islands of
SANIBEL
C A P T I VA
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
9
Welcome New Members
A Better Way Marketing, LLC Jamie Laura, Mobile Sales Force Serving Sanibel & Captiva Islands ABetterWayMarketing.Mobi
FISHMISSHAYDEN
Isabella’s Island Style Weddings & Events Stacey Gerhart, Proprietor Serving Sanibel & Captiva Islands IzzieStyle.com 239-895-3105
Captain Frank Ventimiglia Serving Sanibel & Captiva Islands FishMissHayden.com 239-337-4275
Windows Plus, LLC Island Time Dolphin & Shelling Cruises Crystal Borton Jessica DeGraw, Captain Serving Sanibel & Captiva Islands Serving Sanibel & Captiva Islands WindowsPlusLLC.com IslandTimeCruise.com 239-267-5858 239-898-6155
SWFL Tech Group Chris Long Serving Sanibel & Captiva SwflTechGroup.com 239-267-1244
Waterview Dining @ Sundial Seminole Casino Jennifer Thomas, Group Sales Manager Paul Cuppy, Food & Beverage Director 1451 Middle Gulf Drive, Sanibel Immokalee, Florida SundialResort.com seminoleimmokaleecasino.com 239-472-4151 239-658-7545
Valerie Tutor, Realtor Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille John R. Wood, Island Realtors Jean Crenshaw, General Manager 1019 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel 5400 Plantation Road, Captiva DocFords.com Valerietutor.sanibelrealestatemarket.com 239-472-2411 239-312-4275 The Islands of
10 CS HAANMI BBEER LO F CCOAMPMTEIRVA CE
Island View Window Cleaning Lou Fodor Serving Sanibel & Captiva Islands 239-313-7930
Marla Manning info@thesanibeldesigncenter.com 2240 Periwinkle Way 11A, Sanibel TheSanibelDesignCenter.com 239-395-1201
Our Mission: To Promote the Prosperity of Our Members and Preserve the Quality of Life in Our Community
A Thank You Note From A Proud Navy Mom
ing deployed to the m the Persian Gulf, after be fro ed urn ret n so est eld my er/ Recently he is a 2nd Class Petty Offic d an r de lan Ry n rda Jo is s name ed upon his return region for eight months. Hi S. Navy. To say I was, reliev U. the th wi n ma ew Cr r Ai Search & Rescue , proud, and happy all rolled ed iev rel s… wa y inl rta ce I nt, yet o, would be an understateme ne, are stationed in San Dieg ay Bl aw n-l r-i hte ug da my he and into one! Of course, since y! that was anticipated greatl it was their visit to Florida rried here at the Sanibel ma re we n rda Jo d an ne s not In December 2011, Blay the Office Manager. It wa as rk wo I ere wh t, ris Ch urch of ed Congregational United Ch and, as Jordan and I enjoy Isl el nib Sa ul tif au be on to marry a surprise that they chose growing up. el beaches when he was a st many weekends on the Sanib ay of this year, one of the fir d-M mi a, rid Flo in d ive arr ve When Jordan and Blayne spent many days of their lea ey Th d. an Isl el nib Sa to s to go re things they wanted to do wa restaurants, and making mo me eso aw the at g tin ea s, ng shell n time on the Island, collecti fore they left to return to Sa be ily fam a as did we s ng the thi e Sanibel memories. One of ve family photos taken. I’v ha d an h ac Be e us tho gh Li go to le Diego and the Navy, was to nk you” to the city and peop ha “T say to nt wa I e us ca otos, be , enclosed a couple of the ph photos of Jordan & Blayne ese Th . ble ita sp ho d an ng lcomi el of Sanibel for being so we ne who when visiting Sanib yo an is re the ine ag im n’t all I ca been makes me so happy – after out all the smiles that have ab ing nk thi st Ju e. fac ir on the that Island, doesn’t have a smile me with joy. It is my hope s fill re he ing be ply sim t m jus tiful generated over the years fro cember evening in a beau De e on er eth tog es liv ir gan the that since Jordan & Blayne be ce long after I am gone… pla uil nq tra s thi it vis to e ntinu Sanibel church, they will co very happy indeed. would make this Momma Sandra J. Simmons Office Manager ited Church of Christ Sanibel Congregational Un el, FL 33957 2050 Periwinkle Way, Sanib (239) 472-0497 www.Sanibel-Captiva.org
The Islands of
SANIBEL
C A P T I VA 11
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
1159 Causeway Road Sanibel Island, FL 33957
PAID
FORT MYERS, FL PERMIT #569
SANIBEL
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
C A P T I VA
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE
The Islands of The Islands of
12 CS HAANMI BBEER LO F CCOAMPMTEIRVA CE
Our Mission: To Promote the Prosperity of Our Members and Preserve the Quality of Life in Our Community