Sanibel & Captiva Island Chamber of Commerce Update

U.S. News Travel Recognizes Bowman's Beach in the Top 10 Best Beaches in the World


Sanibel Island's Bowman's Beach, located near the western end of Sanibel, has been named among the Top 10 Beaches in the World by U.S. News Travel. The City of Sanibel maintains Bowman's Beach in its natural state. Bowman's Beach is renowned as a world-class shelling and birding destination.

The article states, "You'll look out over a shore littered with colorful seashells as you claim your spot on Bowman's Beach."

Amenities at Bowman's Beach include public parking, canoe & kayak launch, hiking & walking trails, fishing, public restrooms, changing rooms, showers, water fountains, picnic tables, barbeque grills, pavilions and a playground.

The public can reserve a pavilion or schedule a beach wedding at Bowman's Beach by calling the City Manager's Office at (239) 472-3700.


Doc Ford's Captiva sponsors Captiva Tri

The doors have not yet opened, but already Doc Ford's Rum Bar & Grille Captiva Island is showing its support of its latest community on Captiva by stepping up as sponsor of the adult spring triathlon to be held in September 2013 at South Seas Island Resort as part of the Galloway Captiva Triathlon (www.captivatri.org).

The so-called Captiva Tri, a USA Triathlon-sanctioned race in its third year, includes a children's triathlon event on Sept. 14 followed by the adult race on Sept. 15. A portion of the proceeds from the event benefit the Community Cooperative Ministries, Inc., and its School Backpack Program, which provides emergency food for more than 2,000 local children each school year.

Besides supporting the triathlon, Doc Ford's Captiva -- the third Doc Ford's location in the area, expected to open later this summer -- will sponsor a race team composed of three of the new store's managers.

General manager Jean Crenshaw will run the 5K course, manager Raynauld Bentley will swim a quarter-mile stretch along the beach, and manager Clark Hill will bike 10 miles.

"We feel it is very important to give back to the communities that have made our restaurants popular and successful in the past," said Marty Harrity, Doc Ford's co-owner with Mark Marinello. "This event supports a great cause, and we're all behind that."



Sandy Stilwell the new chair for PACE Lee County

Sandy Stilwell is the new chair of the board of directors for the PACE Center for Girls, Lee County (www.pacecenter.org/lee). The restaurateur has served on the PACE Lee board since 2009 and most recently served as vice-chair to Gail Markham, co-founder of PACE Lee. Stilwell began her term on July 1, along with Meg M. Geltner, PACE's newly appointed executive director.



SANIBEL HISTORICAL VILLAGE CLOSING FOR SEASON AUG. 3

The Sanibel Historical Museum and Village will close after Saturday, August 3 for the remainder of the summer and into early fall. The museum will re-open on Wednesday, November 6 and resume a Wednesday through Saturday schedule from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

According to Museum Manager Emilie Alfino, the traditional three months when the museum is closed to the public affords staff an opportunity to make any needed repairs, repaint and spruce up the grounds. Museum volunteers also use the break to prepare next season's exhibits and plan special events. Administrative staff members are busy updating databases, refining procedures, marketing, and improving existing exhibits. Hurricane shutters go up on all the windows until the week before re-opening.


Sanibel Bridge Inspections

Friday July 12, 2013 to Thursday, July 31, 2013

8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The follow-up inspection of the beams on the three Sanibel Bridges by Lee County DOT contractor T.Y. Lin Int'l is scheduled to begin on July 12, 2013. The purpose of this inspection is to determine if there has been any increase in crack lengths or widths in any of the bridge beams since the last inspection and whether the cracking has stabilized so the County can move forward with repairs.

The work is to be done weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. and is currently anticipated to finish by the end of July 2013, weather permitting.

Variable message signs will be placed to alert drivers to the roadway Maintenance of Traffic. If you have any questions please contact Lee County DOT at 533-9400.



TRIPADVISOR AWARDS TWO CERTIFICATES OF EXCELLENCE TO 'TWEEN WATERS INN ISLAND RESORT

'Tween Waters Inn is pleased to announce it has received two TripAdvisor Certificates of Excellence for 'Tween Waters Inn Island Resort and Old Captiva House. This prestigious award is presented to top-rated accommodation businesses, restaurants and attractions, as reviewed by travelers on the world's largest travel site.