Food Bank puts call out for Thanksgiving turkeys

Community News


Food Bank puts call out for Thanksgiving turkeys

Thanksgiving is fast approaching and turkeys are in very short supply in order to feed the hungry in Southwest Florida.

Last week, the Harry Chapin Food Bank put out an emergency plea for the 6,000 turkeys needed by their participating non-profit agencies who rely on them to fill food baskets for the holiday distribution to the ever-increasing numbers of hungry adults and children.

Individuals can assist the food bank by either purchasing turkeys or contributing financial aid to purchase turkeys. Businesses can help by encouraging customers to support the turkey drive.

Joyce Jacobs, associate director of the food bank, says that the demand for turkeys is greater than ever this year. The food bank is working to provide the 6,000 turkeys to its partner agencies so families will have a Thanksgiving dinner with their families.

Jacobs also noted that right now, the Harry Chapin Food Bank only has 500 turkeys in the freezer. She says that $9 is the approximate cost of each turkey and urges people to assist the bank in this emergency drive to provide the turkeys needed.

In addition, Jacobs said that turkeys can be dropped off at their warehouse, located at 3760 Fowler Street in Fort Myers, or checks can be mailed to the same address. Contributions can also be made online at harrychapinfoodbank.org. Time is of the essence as Thanksgiving doesn't wait - the annual "turkey day" is approaching very rapidly.

Additional information about or to contribute financially to the Harry Chapin Food Bank, contact 239-334-7007 or go to www.harrychapinfoodbank.org.
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"Sanibel's New Year's Eve Party promises 'Something 4 Everyone'"

Sanibel's New Year's Eve Party promises 'Something 4 Everyone'

The City of Sanibel's official New Year's Eve Party, hosted by the Sanibel Recreation Center, will take place on Thursday, Dec. 31. Doors will open at 8 p.m. and the festivities will conclude at 12:30 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2010.

Among the multitude of activities on tap during the end-of-the-year shindig include games "4" children and "4" adults, a 50/50 raffle drawing (half of the proceeds go to the winner, half of the proceeds going to the city's Recreational Assistance Fund), a display of artwork created by students from The Sanibel School and bingo "4" adults.

Bingo participants must be 18 or older, with only 100 seats available. Fabulous prizes include gift certificates at restaurants, hotel stays, golf outings, boat rides and more. Prizes are valued in excess of $4,000. Cost in advance is $50 per chair, which includes admission and two bingo cards. At-the-door cost is $60.

Admission to the party includes fantasic food and refreshments such as chicken fingers, pizza, hot dogs, cold cut platters, veggie trays, fruit, sushi, chips, pretzels, popcorn, soda, water, juices, root beer floats, ice cream, cake, coffee and tea.

Each admission also receives a chance to win a door prize. Party hats and noisemakers are included, too.

The price for tickets to the City of Sanibel's New Year's Eve Party is $10 per person in advance or $15 at the door. Children age 4 and under are admitted free and must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets may be purchased at the Sanibel Recreation Center.

All proceeds from this event are donated to the City of Sanibel Recreation Center Financial Assistance Program to assist workers who financially qualify for their children to attend the after school program, summer day camp and fun days at the Sanibel Recreation Center. This is a family-friendly, alcohol- and tobacco-free event.

Major co-sponsors are the City of Sanibel and Sanibel-Captiva Kiwanis Foundation.

For more information please call the City of Sanibel Recreation Center, located at 3880 Sanibel-Captiva Road, at 472-0345.
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Sanibel Island Farmer's Market

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Sanibel has its very own weekly fresh produce and food specialties showcase that will operate through the entire "season."

Farmer's Market - November 15th 2009. Arrive early

before the crowds!!

According to organizers Jean Baer and Betsy Ventura, the Sanibel Island Farmers Market began Sunday, Nov. 1 at Tahitian Gardens, located at 1975 Periwinkle Way. The market will be held each Sunday - rain or shine - from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. throughout season, ending on April 25, 2010.

White pelican boasts size and stature on Sanibel

(Editors Note: Following is an excerpt from LIVING SANIBEL-A Nature Guide to Sanibel and Captiva Islands, by Charles Sobczak. The book is due out in January and will cover most of the birds, plants and animals that share these two islands with us. Go to www.indigopress.net to learn more about the book and the writings of Sanibel author, Charles Sobczak.)


American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) Other names: none / Status: FL=stable to increasing slightly, IUCN=LC / Life span: to 31 years / Length: 60-63 in. (152-160 cm) / Wingspan: 96-110 in. (243-279 cm) / Weight: 15.4 lb (7 kg) / Nests: in the summer in Canada and the north-central Great Plains / Found: fall, winter, and early spring months in MZ.

The white pelican is the largest and heaviest bird found on Sanibel. Before its eradication from both islands around 1910, the wild turkey (weighing as much as 24 pounds) would have held this title. The wild turkey was more than likely lost as a result of over-hunting. That being said, however, the white pelican would still have boasted a longer wingspan, measuring nine feet for a mature bird. The white pelican is one of only seven pelican species worldwide; the only other pelican native to North America is the familiar brown pelican. There is one pelican species in South America, the Peruvian pelican, which is similar in appearance to the brown pelican but more than twice as large.

Over the past 20 years the sightings of the white pelican on Sanibel have increased dramatically. In the early 1990s it was found only on remote barrier islands and along oyster bars in northern Pine Island Sound. Today it can be seen regularly off the third culvert along Wildlife Drive in the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge, especially during a midwinter low tide.

A stunning bird to observe in flight, the white pelican has conspicuous black tips at the end of its wings and carries one of the largest bills in the world. (The Australian pelican, which is seven pounds heavier and has the same coloration, does in fact have the largest bill of any bird species on earth!) During the nesting season the white pelican develops a large, conspicuous plate on its upper bill. The purpose of the plate is not entirely understood but is believed to be related to breeding displays.


Unlike its brown cousin, the white pelican does not dive for its food. Instead it forms a communal group that herds its catch into shallow water or surrounds a school of minnows, then feeds on them by dipping its large bill into the water and scooping them up. Although it feeds on saltwater fish during the winter months, its primary diet consists of freshwater species such as perch, sunfish, suckers, and carp. As the white pelican's numbers have increased, it has come increasingly in conflict with the growing aquaculture industry in the southeastern United States.

Because of its commanding size, the white pelican has few natural predators. Like many other birds, this pelican was severely impacted by the widespread use of DDT and other pesticides beginning in the 1940s until DDT was banned in the United States in 1972. The white pelican is still recovering from the effects. Despite being a protected species, it is still the target of hunters, its single largest cause of mortality.

Ceasar says Hi from Jerry's on Sanibel Island

Jerry's Foods of Sanibel 1700 Periwinkle Way Sanibel, FL 33957

Pre-Order your groceries on-line. http://www.jerrysfoods.com/

A bonded delivery person will stock your condo cupboards and refrigerator so everything is ready and waiting for

Sanibel and Captiva Islands article from Islands Magazine

Most people who come to Sanibel and Captiva, twin barrier islands off Florida's Gulf Coast, share a single passion: seashells. This is, after all, the home of the "Sanibel Stoop," a posture folks assume while scouring the sandy shoreline for the more than 200 varieties of shells that wash ashore after storms. Streets here are named for shells, and the leading cultural attraction is a museum devoted to them. In fact, the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum is the only one of its kind in the United States, with a remarkable collection not only from Southwest Florida but also from around the world.

Even if you don't know a cockle from a conch, you're still likely to enjoy the sandy beaches (13 miles of them on Sanibel, including Bowman's Beach, a quiet stretch of white sand where barbecue grills facilitate the perfect picnic).

Sanibel is not just shore, however. Golf and tennis are popular, and because the island is flat, bicycling is a breeze - at a pace geared to, say, bird-watching. Countless birds (and more than a few alligators) attract visitors to the island's natural centerpiece, J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge. At nearby Tarpon Bay you can paddle a kayak or canoe along marked water trails through mangrove forests and get a close-up look at more of that wildlife.

BEACHES

You're here for the seashells, so consult a tide table and plan to arrive at Turner Beach, which extends on both sides of the Blind Pass Bridge that links Sanibel and Captiva, about 90 minutes before low tide. (That may indeed mean getting up before dawn.) The next two hours offer the best shelling of the day; expect to get wet up to your knees as you search for lightning whelks.

NATURE

Alligators and turtles and birds, oh my! For nature lovers, the 5,000-acre J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge is a treasure. There are trails for hiking, biking, and canoeing - all good ways to have Animal Planet-type encounters with more than 200 bird species, including such local favorites as white ibis and roseate spoonbills. Keep an eye out for armadillos, otters, and the resident crocodile. (The refuge is closed Fridays.)

BICYCLING

Among the 25 or so miles of bike paths is Wildlife Drive, a four-mile loop "paved" with hard-packed sand and shells (you'll need fat tires on your bike) that leads through the Darling refuge. On Rabbit Road Trail, which borders a canal, look for marsh rabbits and alligators.

ARC to host 15th Starlight Auction over Thanksgiving weekend

If you find yourself having cabin fever by Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend, or want a unique experience in which to treat a guest, tickets are now available for the 15th ARC Starlight Auction.

The Animal Refuge Center (ARC) is a not-for-profit animal welfare society that has found a magical formula in hosting this fund-raiser over Thanksgiving weekend, both for that time and at it's steady location.

The event will be held on Saturday, Nov. 28 at the Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa. The five-star hotel also offers special room rates, which many take advantage of while enjoying the auction party.

"This event is our premiere event," said ARC Board President Lee Allor. "It is out number one fund-raiser for the year, and is a celebration of ARC's success."

He said it is an event not to be missed. "It has become part of our culture over that Holiday weekend. We have volunteers, veterinarians the public and patrons. Everyone is a part of this."

The theme this year is "Gone With The Whiskers" ala "Gone With The Wind," said ARC Board Treasurer Betty Hughes. "We vow at ARC to never go hungry again!" she added.

The auction is known for fabulous items, and over 200 have already been donated. "You check in 6 p.m. and go to the auction, and can begin bidding immediately for silent auction items and then there is a live auction. There is fine art from local artists, get away packages at resorts nationwide, and even a photographic safari adventure to South Africa. These are premiere items; we are getting spectacular donations."

Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa is a long-standing location. "We've had it there 13 of our 15 years. It is 'location, location, location' - it is a five-star resort with professional service."

The resort is technically located in Fort Myers before you get over the Sanibel Bridge. "It is a five-star atmosphere right on the Gulf, the gateway to the island."

She said Sanibel Harbour also donated a fantastic package this year. Five nights, dinner for two on the Princess Yacht, dinner for two at the Tarpon House there and two spa packages.

"You can count on an evening filled with wonderful items to bid on, scrumptious food to dine on and an evening of fun spent with fellow animal lovers. Come out and celebrate ARC's achievements over the past year and meet some very special canine alumni," Hughes continued.

"Our guest master of ceremonies Amy Wegmann of Fox-4 News along with auctioneer Mike Joyce of Gulf Coast Coin and Jewelers will help create a magical evening. It is a geat way to break the monotony of a long holiday weekend - it's also a very unique experience to treat out-of-town guests to."

Incorporated in 1988, Animal Refuge Center is a not-for-profit animal welfare society, dedicated to caring for all homeless animals brought to its care at its 22-acre sanctuary in North Fort Myers. The sanctuary houses a Welcome Center, 12 feline facilities, 29 canine lodges and is home to more than over 400 cats and dogs.

And that doesn't include those who get adopted through ARC. "Proceeds benefit a variety activities at ARC. It benefits over 1,000 pets that pass through our door or sanctuary every year," she said.

While they are still accepting auction sponsors, right now the focus is on ticket sales. "It is normally a sold out affair at 300. You are going to want to secure your table seating early."

Tickets are $70 each.

The resort is offering a room rate special of $137.64 all inclusive. To get this rate, you must call direct at 800-767-7777 and say you are calling for room reservations at the special Animal Refuge Center rate.

Tickets can be purchased by calling Hughes at 239-841-0810 or by e-mail to bettyhughes@comcast.net