Sanibel Journal

This is a conversation I recorded today with State Rep. Adam Botana, R-District 80, about the bill he has drafted to create a Captiva Island Conservation Area. His comments are timely, because the Lee County Commissioners will discuss proposed land use changes for Captiva at their meeting tomorrow (Dec. 6) at 9:30 a.m. For video of this interview, click here for the YouTube version.

Environmental Policy Director, Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Commission (SCCF), left, with host Len Edgerly on Zoom Links SCCF web site Click here to donate to SCCF "Commissioners Grant 90-day Continuance on Proposed Land Use Changes" at SCCF.org - June 20, 2023 "South Seas Island Resort controversy prompts Lee County Commissioners to postpone public hearing" by David Dorsey at WINK News - June 20, 2023 About Matt DePaolis To download this episode right-click here.    

Vice President, Captiva Community Panel, addressing special meeting of the Sanibel City Council on June 14, 2023 Recorded video of Sanibel City Council’s special meeting on June 14, 2023, highlighting the threats of a proposed Lee County ordinance on Sanibel and Captiva’s sanctuary status. Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) request to contact Lee County Commissioners in advance of June 20, 2023, meeting to consider the ordinance. South Seas Island Resort Lee County Commissioners contact information: District 1: Kevin Ruane 239-533-2224, dist1@leegov.com District 2: Cecil Pendergrass 239-533-2227, dist2@leegov.com District 3: Ray Sandelli 239-533-2223, dist3@leegov.com District 4: Brian Hamman, Chairman 239-533-2226, dist4@leegov.com District 5: Mike Greenwell, Vice Chairman 239-533-2225, dist5@leegov.com Click here to download audio

Len Edgerly recording this episode  Recorded video of Sanibel City Council's special meeting on June 14, 2023, highlighting the threats of a proposed Lee County ordinance on Sanibel and Captiva's sanctuary status. Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) request to contact Lee County Commissioners in advance of June 20, 2023, meeting to consider the ordinance. Lee County Commissioners contact information: District 1: Kevin Ruane 239-533-2224, dist1@leegov.com District 2: Cecil Pendergrass 239-533-2227, dist2@leegov.com District 3: Ray Sandelli 239-533-2223, dist3@leegov.com District 4: Brian Hamman, Chairman 239-533-2226, dist4@leegov.com District 5: Mike Greenwell, Vice Chairman 239-533-2225, dist5@leegov.com Click here to download this episode.

Project Manager, Sanibel Causeway Reconstruction Kati at Linkedin FDOT Sanibel and Pine Island Hurricane Ian Relief at YouTube - November, 2022 Linkedin video of Kati on site at the causeway WINK TV coverage of hurricane recovery - January 6, 2023    

Regional Manager, CrowderGulf CrowderGulf 2023 National Hurricane Conference MySanibel website SanCap Citizens for a Resilient Future Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF)    

Me, Darlene and Deb wearing Shine on Sanibel t-shirts at today's ceremony to re-light the Sanibel Lighthouse City officials, residents, and Sanibel lovers from all over gathered at the foot of the iconic Sanibel Lighthouse before dawn this morning for the re-lighting of the lighthouse, which was battered by Hurricane Ian but was still standing after the storm. It's taken five months for the official return of the rhythmic light atop the lighthouse, built in 1884.  Local coverage by WINK TV news, ABC-7, and yahoo! Facebook video by Audrey Stewart    

Environmental Policy Director, Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) Links Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) "DePaolis Joins SCCF as Environmental Policy Director" - SCCF website April 6, 2022 Florida Right to Clean Water drive to amend Florida's Constitution The Everglades: River of Grass by Marjory Stoneman Douglas The Gulf: The Making of An American Sea by Jack E. Davis The Swamp: The Everglades, Florida, and the Politics of Paradise by Michael Grunwald            

Joe Craig of Finnimore's Cycle Shop, Sanibel Links Finnimore's Cycle Shop Sanibel Farmers Market Billy's Bike Shop

Michael of Sage and Indigo Juice Company Today is a big day in the recovery of Sanibel from Hurricane Ian. The Sanibel Island Farmers Market has returned! I interviewed vendors, shoppers, and Sanibel Mayor Holly Smith this morning at the Jerry's Supermarket parking lot. If you hear this before the market closes today, come on down!

Sharing Stories of Trauma and Recovery Links St. Michael & All Angels Church, Sanibel FL Chico’s women’s clothing, Sanibel Recovering from Losses in Life by H. Norman Wright My Kindle Chronicles podcast ### If you’d like brief updates on technology, books, marriage, and puppies, you can follow along with my Morning Journal flash briefing. From your Echo device, just say, “Alexa, enable Morning Journal.” Then each morning say, “Alexa, what’s my flash briefing?” I post a five-minute audio journal each weekday except usually by 8 a.m. Eastern Time.

Golf Superintendent at The Dunes Roy Jones is golf course superintendent at the Dunes Golf & Tennis Club on Sanibel island. He spoke with me today about progress the club is making toward re-opening the 18-hole course for play.  Note: you can hear each episode of the Sanibel Journal on any Alexa device. Just say, "Alexa, enable Sanibel Journal" to add it to your flash briefings. Then say, "Alexa, flash" to hear the latest episode.

Mark Boluis Cleans a Court for Pickelball Mark is a nearby neighbor of ours who introduced Darlene and me to the game of pickleball more than a year ago. We took our pickleball passion north in May, to Massachusetts and Maine, and were looking forward to reconnecting with Mark and others in Sanibel. Hurricane Ian left piles of debris and a stubborn film of fine silt on the court. This morning we helped Mark begin the cleanup, which is going to take a lot of hours. His enthusiasm and belief in Sanibel's recovery are infectious! Note: you can hear each episode of the Sanibel Journal on any Alexa device. Just say, "Alexa, enable Sanibel Journal" to add it to your flash briefings. Then say, "Alexa, flash" to hear the latest episode.

At work early on Sunday morning On the third morning of our current stay on Sanibel in a rental house, we heard the loud sound of a truck approaching. When we saw it was one of the double-bin debris-hauling vehicles, I took some photos and asked the guy standing behind the truck if he could tell us a little about the process.  He turned out to be a Monitor, whose duties do not involve traffic control of any kind. He is responsible for assuring that the right stuff is picked up, and he takes photos of everything. There is still a lot of debris on Sanibel 67 days after Hurricane Ian hit the island hard.  BTW, you can hear each episode of the Sanibel Journal on any Alexa device. Just say, "Alexa, enable Sanibel Journal" to add it to your flash briefings. Then say, "Alexa, flash" to hear the latest episode.

As we prepare to travel to our home on Sanibel tomorrow I am in the midst of pointed conversations with insurance reps over the Loss of Use portion of our homeowners' policy with Lloyds. 

Bikes awaiting us in Sanibel... This morning we confirmed the rental of a neighbor's home for December and January, which means we are headed to Sanibel in a week to oversee repairs to our home and do what we can to help out on the island. I can't wait to be back on Sanibel!  

General Manager of Jerry's Foods  Sanibel Island, FL Rick Cunningham has been a very busy guy since Hurricane Ian hit Sanibel on September 28, 2022. He and his team got Jerry's up and running two weeks ago. In this episode of the Sanibel Journal, Rick explains the obstacles that had to be overcome to re-open the store and what he sees ahead for the island. Note: You can hear each week's episode of the Sanibel Journal on your Alexa devices. Just say, "Alexa, enable Sanibel Journal" to add it to your flash briefings. Then say, "Alexa, flash" to hear the latest episode. I usually release new episodes at noon on Wednesday, but I didn't want to wait until next week to bring you this conversation. Thanks for listening!

Darlene and I got our first look at our home on Sanibel this morning. The ride from our Airbnb in Cape Coral via the miraculously repaird Sanibel causeway was smooth, without delays. Our purple hurricane pass hanging from the rental-car mirror led a sheriff at the checkpoint to wave us on by without slowing down.  The scenes of devastation on our beloved island are sobering and put us in a kind of shock at first. But as we began connecting with the repairs contractor, our neighbors, and adjusters the work of rebuilding took hold. It will be a long road. I believe it will lead to a stronger community and houses better able to withstand the next storm.  Stay safe!

I spoke with Kara Souza, wife of Sanibel City Manager Dana Souza, this morning about what she has learned about the island since Hurricane Ian hit, her husband's leadership skills, and how anyone who loves Sanibel can help with the island's recovery. Click here to donate to the Charitable Foundation of the Islands. You can also hear each week's episode of the Sanibel Journal on your Alexa devices. Just say, "Alexa, enable Sanibel Journal" to add it to your flash briefings. Then say, "Alexa, flash" to hear the latest episode. I have been podcasting for 14 years with The Kindle Chronicles and am glad to create this platform for sharing news and voices of Sanibel. My wife and I purchased a home on the island last year. We are headed there from Boston next week to see first-hand the condition of the house. If you would like to suggest someone for me to interview for a future episode--including yourself!--please email me at podchronicles AT gmail DOT com.