Month: January 2022

Have you heard the one about the potato and the oyster?

It’s not a joke, but a game-changing technology — a three-dimensional grid made from potato starch — that has the potential to help reverse the decline of the world’s oyster reefs.

And representatives from the company behind it — Biodegradable EcoSystem Engineering Elements (BESE) — recently came all the way from the Netherlands to assist volunteers and staff from the Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) in installing biodegradable structures aimed at helping our local oyster beds and mangroves thrive.  » Read more

Your town?

Our town!

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CRU refers to the finest grapes and the best terrior (soil and topography) of a vineyard.

The Cassata Sonoma Family Vineyard of Glen Ellen, California has recently opened the Cru Wine Club in nearby Bonita Springs.  The intimate, 650-square-foot wine tasting room may be booked for a maximum of 12 guests to learn about California wines and discover new varieties to buy for enjoyment at home.  » Read more

Several airlines have begun (or will soon begin) new flights to Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers (RSW):

Air Transat: Montreal (YUL) weekly, seasonal service started Dec. 16

Avelo Airlines:  New Haven, CT (HVN) weekly, year-round service started Nov. 11

Eurowings Discover:  Frankfurt, Germany (FRA) weekly, year-round service starts March 28

Sun Country:  Duluth,  » Read more

Winners of “Taste of the Taste” Chef Amy Thompson and Troy Thompson of Sanibel Fresh.

With the popular “Taste of the Islands” food festival reformatted this year to a month-long event due to the pandemic, the winners of the longest running fundraiser for CROW (Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife) have just been announced.

Is your favorite on the list?  » Read more

Longtime guests Dick and Linda M. from Waynesville, OH came in to show us the pristine Scotch Bonnet they found next door at Gulfside City Park during their most recent visit to Ocean’s Reach.

One of the most prized finds on any of our local barrier islands, the Scotch Bonnet is rarely found in Southwest Florida, being more common on the beaches of the mid-Atlantic states.  » Read more

Remember to always “walk around” our wildlife neighbors and #Sharetheshore!

Passing along an important message from our friends at SCCF (the Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation):

“It is always important to remember that we need to #sharetheshore with all the wildlife that call the beach their home.

These royal, sandwich, and Forster’s terns were resting on a sandbar on Sanibel recently and were being flushed constantly by beachgoers.   » Read more

Come join friends and “soon-to-be” friends at a creative and stimulating BIG ARTS workshop during your next visit to Ocean’s Reach!

Click here for a schedule of January and February offerings.  Call 239-395-0900 for more information.

P.S.:  While you’re there, don’t forget to stop by BIG ARTS’ stunning new gift shop for that one-of-a-kind keepsake — everything from jewelry and coasters to pottery and paintings!  » Read more

Sanibel is welcoming in the new year with three new island restaurants!

After 27 years in business, Matzaluna said arrivederci in November, making way for a new Italian restaurant and bar, Tutti Pazzi, to open later this month.

Tutti Pazzi — which means “We’re all crazy” in Italian — will remain family friendly and thoroughly Italian, but with a few modern twists,  » Read more

What better way to start off the new year than with a peaceful morning of walking meditation.  Our friends from the J.N. “Ding” Darling Wildlife Refuge offer several “Mindfulness Walks” each month at the Bailey Tract starting at 8:30 a.m.

Together, you’ll explore the concept of mindfulness, consider the various physical and mental benefits of time spent in nature, and take a mindful hike around Ani Marsh.  » Read more