Sanibel-Captiva Daily

Lee Cahill, Dylan Drak, Chris Sangelo,Carl Todd -Joy of Surfing

In spite of Tropical Storm Fay, Sanibel-Captiva Businesses opened with a surprising amount of business.  Both visitors and locals were very upbeat and enjoying the after storm activities. We found people biking, surfing, eating, shopping, working, playing on the beach, shelling and much more. Yes, Sanibel-Captiva survived the tropical storm and is still paradise to many.
The Islands will be back to full service tomorrow.  Please send any pictures, news, or videos to us. Dont forget about our “Web Detective” Contest and stay tuned for more videos.

Read the rest of this entry »

Sanibel & Captiva Are Gearing Up and Getting Ready For Tropical Storm Fay

Today on Sanibel, residents as well as visitors were found at local grocery stores stocking up on water, ice, and non perishables. Though, Tropical Storm Fay is expected to be only a category one storm, the possibility of losing power is a concern. For more info on how to prepare for a hurricane and possibility of a power outage please click here. Many business owners were found to be boarding up their store fronts with boards or with metal window treatment to protect the windows from any flying debris. Also, many went to fill their gas tanks to be sure they had full tanks in case power was to go out or the possibility of the bridge being closed due to high winds. Be sure to have your flashlights, battery operated radios, and batteries available.
For more pics click here.
Please send us your pictures, comments, and text of Tropical Storm Fay.

No clue for  ”Web Detective” today due to weather alert.

Read the rest of this entry »

Going On A Segway Tour!!!!

What is known as the “Billy Empire” started with boat rentals on Sanibel and Captiva in 1985. Then progressed to bike and scooter rentals in the 90’s.  In 2005, store space became available across Periwinkle Way from the rental location. It is filled with a variety of bikes and biking equiptment. An onsite repair shop is available.  (Ladies, check out the Pink Scooter!!!). 

Other adventures include Segway Tours guided by staff and ocassionally by Billy or his wife, Sally. Tours include visiting the historical sites of Sanibel and fun hot spots around the Island. One such favorite is to stop by Periwinkle Park where you can experience exotic birds and animals that Dick Mench, park owner, so graciously shares with the public .  From there you are able to enjoy the ambiance of the view from the Sanibel Causeway. This truly is a wonderful and unique way to tour the Island .

To ensure the safety of his bikes and other equiptment during Tropical Storm Fay, Billy will be storing  them in a warehouse in Ft. Myers. Adventures will resume on Wednesday morning.

For More Pics and text click here.

 Be Sure To Click onto our “Tips Page” for todays “Web Detective” Contest.

Videographer Bryan Villanueva

Read the rest of this entry »

Chief Of Police Bill Tomlinson

Sunday August 17th, 2008 Sanibel City Council convened to have a meeting to discuss preparation for Tropical Storm Fay. As of now Sanibel remains under  a “Hurricane Watch” as issued by the National Weather Service. For more info and pics click here.

Be Sure To Get Your Hurricane Passes Today!

Also, be sure to check out today’s “Web Detective”  clue by clicking on our “Tips Page”

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE VIEWS OF THE INTERVIEWER ARE NOT NECESSARILY THE VIEWS OF SANIBEL CAPTIVA.COM.  WE ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY CONTENT GIVEN.

Videographer Brian Villanueva

Read the rest of this entry »

Biddles Buckets Are Entertaining The Youth And The Young at Heart

Owners, Andy and Brenda created a family fun weekend by hiring two very special guests this weekend. On Friday evening “Juggles” the clown came to entertain the crowds with balloon creations, awesome juggling skills, and much more! Everyone had a great time! On Saturday, caricature artist, Gus St. Anthony, wowed the guests, by doing complimentary cartoon drawings to those who wanted to participate. 

To see pics click here.  

Juggles and Gus can be contacted thru Five Star Entertainment at 239-292-9577. Or for more info click here. 

 Dont Forget To Check Out Todays Clues For The “Web Master” Contest by Clicking on “Tips Page”.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tarpon Bay Explorers is  Sanibel Island’s favorite location to visit if you are looking for a place to go on a kayak or fishing tour.

See wildlife up-close and discover the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge with an experienced naturalist by your side.Tarpon Bay Explorers offers many guided tours designed to be both educational and fun! Birds, dolphins, manatees, and alligators are just some of the amazing wildlife found in the pristine native tropical and subtropical vegetation of Sanibel Island.

Whether you choose to tour the Wildlife Refuge by kayak, canoe, bike, or pontoon boat, Tarpon Bay Explorers has everything you need for nature recreation on Sanibel. Tarpon Bay Explorers is the licensed concessionaire of the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, providing recreational and educational opportunities to the public under contract with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

Experience some of the best fishing in southwest Florida. Sign up for a private fishing charter and let the Tarpon Bay Fish Finders take you “catching” in the back-bay or rent equipment and go it on your own.

To learn more about the many different excursions and tours that Tarpon Bay Explores has to offer please click here.

To see more photos click here.

Be sure not to miss one of Sanibel’s most unique gift shops—T-shirts, children’s nature toys, home accessories, jewelry and more.
 
Tarpon Bay Explorers is located at 900 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel Island, FL
Call- 239-4728900

Be Sure to Click on the “Tips Page” to check out todays clue on the “Web Detective” Contest.

Email us today’s clue via our contact box on the right hand sidebar. Make sure you are taking record all of your clues.

Read the rest of this entry »

BAG DAY IS HERE!!

On Friday, August 15th, Noah’s Ark Thrift Shop held its annual bag day.  This is when customers paid only $3.00 for everything they can get in a bag and half-price for anything else. All proceeds from the non-profit Noah’s Ark, a favorite shopping and meeting place for vacationers and area residents, go to the support of approximately twenty-five charitable organizations. The Ark is operated entirely by volunteers.  They ask that donations not be dropped off during the period of August 11th thru August 31st, while it is being readied for the Fall season. Hours of operation for Fall is 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday thru Friday and the first Saturday of each month.

Their Summer Schedule is as follows: Open Tuesdays and Fridays 9:30-12:30
CLOSED August 16-September 30
Noah’s Ark needs volunteers  – men and women – to join us.
Noah’s Ark is located in the last building behind Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church at 2304 Periwinkle Way in the middle of Sanibel Island.
Phone 472-3356.
Be sure to go to our “Tips Page” for more clues for our “Web Detective” contest.

Read the rest of this entry »

  Schnapper’s Hots Voted Island’s Best Take-Out!!

Schnapper’s Hots is the place to go for creating memories while you wait for great take-out.

Schnapper’s Hots, opened on June 15, 1998. “Schnapper’s” draws it name from owner Vince Chlaramonte’s brother in-law, a Buffalo, New York legend known as “the Schnapper”. The Schnapper was a friendly, fun loving guy who was loved by many. When George “the Schnapper” passed away a few years ago Vince and his wife, Joan, decided to keep his memory alive, so they named the Hot Dog Stand after him.

General Manager, George Jr.Schnapp, strives to make Schnapper’s the kind of friendly and fun place
where customers love to visit, while experiencing the best quality dogs, burgers, fries,fish and chips,
and hand dipped ice cream.

Click Here For more story and pictures!

AND! Don’t forget to check out Web Detective on our TIPS page!

Read the rest of this entry »

One Of The World’s Largest Seashell Dealers!

Today we visit Sanibel Seashell Industries.  A family owned business as of 1988 and in existence since the early 1950’s. It is one of the oldest shops on Sanibel Island.  With over 10,000 species in stock, owners Marybeth Greenplate and Bill Strange pride themselves on being able to meet the needs of everyone from the serious seashell collector to the casual seashells crafter.

Are you looking for a special seashell ornament or gift, or would you prefer to make your own? They have it all.  From the most ornate and rare works of seashell art to the smallest individual seashells for your own seashell creations. 
 

Sanibel Seashell Industries has managed to obtain replica sea glass. Sea glass or beach glass is glass that have been sculpted by the wind, waves, and sand into smooth elegant forms.  It is extremely popular for craft work, filling jars, wedding decoration, flower arranging in vases, and more.
  

They offer a large collection of sand dollars, seahorses, sea urchins, shark jaws, alligator heads, piranha, and more. You will find species of sea stars that are non-endangered and are actively harvested to help prevent destruction of reefs and grass beds. All have been preserved and are used  in a variety of ways from  decorations, scientific, or great for craft work and everything in between. 
 

There is a variety of seashell lamps that are available either empty to display your own precious finds or filled to complement any decor. In their filled seashell lamps they use only the highest quality, naturally colored, seashells. These lamps will also work with a variety of items from golf balls, seaglass, matchbox cars, beanie babies or marbles.

If you are planning to entertain your friends and family by having a Nautical theme party or wedding, Sanibel Seashell Industries offers a selection of party favors, invitations, centerpieces, decorative accents, as well as place settings that are sure to add a special splash of fun to any event.
  

Their base of operations can be found at 905 Fitzhugh St on Sanibel Island.  Upon entering the island one would make a right onto Periwinkle way.  Fitzhugh St. is approximately 1 mile down on the right hand side. As soon as you turn onto Fitzhugh you will see a big white building with blue shutters on your left with a sign reading Sanibel Seashell.  Sanibel Sea Shell Industries has a second location that is in walking distance and right around the corner from their main location. They have named it WWW.SEASHELL.COM and is located on Periwinkle. This store front offers a large display of nautical decor and gift selections that would add a special touch to any home.

For more info or to shop from your home click here and shop from their onlinw catalog from your home. Or call 239-472-1603.

IT’S NOT TO LATE TO PARTICIPATE……………..CHECK OUT “TIPS PAGE” FOR MORE INFO ON HOW TO WIN $500.00 IN GAS!!!!!

Read the rest of this entry »

Sanibel Island Is The Hot Spot for Some of the Worlds Best Sea Shells

If you are a sea shell collector or an advid shell crafter then this week you will enjoy the many places that we will be showing you to visit for some of the most unique attractive shells in the world.

On our first visit we take you to Sea Shell Sea Shells.  A 30 year old business with two locations on Periwinkle Way. Owners Michael, Anne and David Joffe pride themselves for being  Award Winners of the Southwest Florida’s Best Shell Shop in Ft. Myers News Press Readers’ Poll as well as Sanibel’s Best Shell Shop for 9 years. David says “that awards prove that you’ve worked really hard and it pays off”.

Owner Anne Joffe has been involved in shelling organizations at both national and local levels. She was  the Associate Curator for the Baileys-Mathew Shell Musuem. Ane has proudly written a book called “Shellcrafting”. Anne also writes a weekly shellcrafting column found in the Sanibel Island’s, Island Sun and the Islander newspapers. Her column always has great ideas for making some of the cutest shell craft collections.

Anne and Husband, David’s  business has expanded to the point where they have a large warehouse in the Ft. Myers area. They have several staff members that create “shell people” and other beautiful shell ornaments and gifts that are sold in both locations.

Both shops are filled with items that are all made out of shells found from all over the world. There are sharks, alligator heads, horseshoe crabs, starfish, and hundreds of shells and T-shirts that are great items to take home to loved ones. There is also a large section for those that love to make sea shell crafts. Having a thriving Christmas Ornament Business, you will find a large Christmas tree display filled with sea shell ornaments that makes for a fun and unique purchase as Christmas gifts.

Be looking for Sea Shell Sea Shells upcoming website. The address for their two locations: 

 2422 Periwinkle Way - Phone # 239-472-8080/ 1157 Periwinkle Way - Phone # 239-472-6991

Be sure to follow us tomorrow as we visit another great shell shop on Sanibel Island.

Check out todays “Tips Page” for more clues for the Web Detective Contest

Read the rest of this entry »

Adventures In Paradise Excursions on Sanibel Are Filled With Great Discoveries!

If you are staying on Sanibel Island, Fl and  you are looking for something to do with the whole family then we suggest that you take an sealife encounter excursion with Adventures in Paradise. This trip is gauranteed to be fun for all ages. You will have hands-on learning with a marine biologist and naturalist on board who will inform you of all the wonderful sealife that you will encounter. You are sure to see dolphins at play along with an occassional manatee or two. Upon arrival of a deserted island you will be given a net to scoop up you sealife treasures. This cruise includes a natural history narration, sampling of marine animals and on-board aquariums for viewing the catch!

This 2 1/2 hour trip departs daily at 12:30pm and returns at 3:00pm
For more info about other Excursions available call 239-472-8443 or 239-437-1660.
Have an adventure of a lifetime!!!

For More info on Adventures in Paradise Excursions available

Click Here

Photos By Walter Danielewski

Read the rest of this entry »

Read the rest of this entry »

If you are looking for ambiance and fabulous food then you must visit Ellington’s Jazz Bar. Ellingtons specializes in combining great jazz music with delectable cuisine and romanticic atmosphere. Owners, Sharon Wise and Jillian Algrin have worked very hard to make Ellingtons known for preserving a time when “jazz was king”.  When entering, you are taken back to a period of time when music and dining out where something really special. The bartenders and staff are sure  to take geat care of you, while  Executive Chef, James King  tantelizes your palate with most decadent creations that will make you want to come back for more. Ellington’s Grand Pianio features the autographs of some of the  best  Jazz musicians of today. The most featured band isthe  Danny Sinoff’s Quartet. Danny, pianist and lead singer, is a young man who has the talent and gifts of someone way beyond his years. Along side him, is vocalist and base player- Jay Heavilin, drum player- Ron Herner, and featured guest- Dan Miller on the trumpet. They guarantee to bring you back in time again and again. A true pleasure and priveledge to listen to. The Danny Sinoff Quartet have recorded some of their most popular selections to CD’s and are available for purchase. Ellingtons is a supporter of the Jazz Foundations of America whose motto is”Together we are saving Jazz and Blues… one musician at a time”
Ellingtons is open 7 days a week from 5pm-11pm.

For more info on Ellingtons and a listing of “special guest” performers  click here.

Stop into Ellingtons for  a guaranteed night of delicious food and great Jazz entertainment. 

(Photos by Walter Danielewski III)

Read the rest of this entry »

Ready, Set, Go!!!!

Today is the first day of “Web Detective”! Go to the tips page and click on “Web Detective” for the first clue.

Owner, Ken Kasten, of the Sanibel Shell Station is generously giving away a $500.00 gas card to the winner of the “Web Detective”. What a great gift  to receive during these times when gas prices are so high.

Sanibel Shell Gas Station is a Full and Self Service Station. Someone is always there to pump your gas and wash your windshields while you wait. Diesel and Regular Gas pumps available.They offer such services as tune ups, oil changes and towing. Interstate Batteries and Pirelli Tires are availabe to purchase. Mechanics are on site five days a week to help you.

Ken, a 2003 National Champion of Offshore Power Boating quit racing and followed his passion in building a specialized, never before made, Seaphantom Boat. The Seaphantom has a “wing in ground effect” that makes this one of the most unique boats ever built. Ken is very proud and excited to see his hard efforts come to fruition. If you would like to see more info on his endeavors click here  .

Ken is offering for this coming week only, a $5.00 special off of any mechanical repair. Just come in and tell him that you saw it on Daily.com.

For great service be sure to visit Sanibel Shell Station and Congradulations to the lucky winner!!!!

Read the rest of this entry »

If you are interested in having a day of gliding effortlessly along beautiful stretches of clear and open water, breathing in the fresh air, away from the noises and stresses of everyday life, then let windsurfing relax your body and soul. Roy Massey, owner of Ace Performers, has over 20 years of windsurfing experience. Roy specializes in instruction of windsurfing and Kiteboarding. He loves what he does and it reflects in the way he teaches. You are sure to learn how to “harness” the wind!!!! Whether you are a beginner or experienced Ace offers a variety of equiptment to make your experience an enjoyable one. All lessons are taught at the most sought after location-the Sanibel Causeway. Ace Performers is located on McGregor Blvd. just minutes away from the Sanibel Causeway.
 
For more info to rent, buy, or for lessons  call 239-489-3513. Or Click Here! to check out their website!

Photos by Bryan Villanueva

We will be at Ellington’s Friday Evening (Tonight). It’s the place to see and be seen this weekend. Come dressed to impress!

AND! Be sure and check our “Web Detective” on our “Tips” page and try and win $500 in gas!

Read the rest of this entry »

 Welcome to Adventures in Paradise - Celebrating 22 years of fun filled adventure!
Established in 1986, Adventures in Paradise is a recreational management company endeavoring to introduce you to our world of the sea; dolphins, manatee, river otters, seahorses, shelling, and much more. You can Click Here to check out their website!

(Photos by Walter Danielewski III)

Check today’s “TIPS” page for much more information on our upcoming Web Detective contest! You could win $500 in gas! And have some fun!

Read the rest of this entry »

Sanibel Island Beaches are famous for great shelling and family fun for locals and visitors. Gorgeous and secluded Bowman’s Beach guarantees a fun filled day for the whole family. Whether you are a beachcomber, sun worshipper, conservationist, or just love to build sandcastles, this beach is the place to visit. There are showers, barbeque grills, and picnic tables available for public use. Parking is available for $2.00 per hour and has space for RV owners.
Come and experience one of the world’s most beautiful beaches!
 

Photography by Susan Grinstead

Read the rest of this entry »

Lions and tigers and bears…oh my!!!

Well, not quite!  It was more like “Lizards and turtles and snakes!! Egads!” at the Sanibel Public Library’s last Summer Reading Program event.  John Storms’ World of Reptiles was the main attraction.  John brought several different reptiles from a small lizard and a skink to a 90 pound snapping turtle.  Jessie, the 13 foot python was a huggable delight.  Kids, young and old alike enjoyed the creepy crawlies.

Be Sure To Check Out The Pictures Of John Storms’ Reptiles!

Read the rest of this entry »

Sanibel Island Memories Are Being Taken Home In A Brand New Way!

John Allan Designs is the home of the Patented Island Shaped Jewelry Collection which features Bangles, Pendants, Earrings and Rings in the shape of Sanbel and Captiva. All pieces are handmade and designed and manufactured by renowned local Artist John Allan Grinstead. Bangles may be customized to your own personal design by the edition of shells, sealife, and gemstone now or on your next visit. A wonderful gift for loved ones !

John Allan Designs recently moved to a new, much larger location in Palm Ridge Place and have added many unique new lines to compliment John’s work. The boutique now carries lines such as Timmy Woods (collectible handbags), Fraiche (handmade organic soaps), Caviar (gem studded sunglasses) and many
more unique high quality items, which is why they are viewed as a “must see” for Island shoppers. To see a greater selection of John Allan Design’s merchandise please Click Here! to visit their website

Don’t forget to keep checking our Web Detective on the “TIPS” page for the start of the contest!

Read the rest of this entry »