TRIP ADVISOR BEGINS TRADING TODAY

Exciting news!!  Trip Advisor begins trading today as an independent public company on NASDAQ

TripAdvisor, World's Largest Travel Site, began trading today as an independent public company on the NASDAQ Stock Market under the ticker symbol "TRIP" following the completion of its spin-off from Expedia, Inc.  TripAdvisor has also recently been added to the S&P 500.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/PressCenter-i4931-c1-Press_Releases.html

List Of Restaurants open for Christmas From the CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (Sanibel and Captiva) Name	Christmas Eve	Christmas Day
Bailey's General Store	Closes at 6pm	Closed
Blue Giraffe	Closes at 6pm	Closed
Bubble Room Restaurant	Open	Closed
Cantina Captiva
Captiva Pizza	Open	Open
Cheeburger Cheeburger	Closes at 3pm	Closed
Cip's Place	Closes at 9:30pm	Closed
Courtney's on Sanibel	Open	Open
Doc Ford's Sanibel Rum Bar & Grille	Closes 8:30pm	Closed
Dunes Neighborhood Grill	Open	Food at Bar Only-Closes 12noon
George & Wendy's Corner Grill	Open	Closed
Gramma Dot's	Open	Closed
Green Flash Restaurant	Open	Closed
Greenhouse Grill	Open	Open
Holy Smoke Heavenly Barbecue
Hungry Heron	Closes at 4pm	Closed
Huxter's Market & Deli	Open	Open
IL TESORO Inc.	Open	Open
Island Cow, The	Open	Open
Island Pizza Company	Open	Open
Jacaranda Restaurant	Open	Open 4pm-9pm
Jerry's Foods of Sanibel	Closes at 4pm	Closed
Key Lime Bistro	Open	Open
Lazy Flamingo (Blind Pass)	Closes at 6pm	Closed
Lazy Flamingo II (Sanibel)	Breakfast / Lunch Only	Closed
Lighthouse Cafe (Sanibel)	Breakfast / Lunch Only	Closed
Lighthouse Waterfront Restaurant, The	Open	Open
Matzaluna's
Mucky Duck Restaurant	Open	Closed
Old Captiva House	Open	Open - Buffet 11:30am-8pm
Over Easy Café	Open	Closed
Pinocchio's Original Italian Ice Cream	Closes at 6pm	Closed
PocoLoco Sanibel	Open	Closed
RC Otters	Open	Open Breakfast / Lunch only
Sanibel Café
Sanibel Deli & Coffee Factory	Open	Closed
Sanibel Grill	Open	Open
Sanibel Steakhouse
Schnapper's Hots, Inc.	Closes at 4pm	Closed
Sea Star Café & Bar	Open	Open
Sharky's
Starbuck's Coffee	Open	Open
Stone Crab	Open	Closed
Subway	Closes at 4pm	Closed
Sunset Grill	Open	Closed
Sunshine Seafood Café
Sweet Melissa's	Open	Closed
Thistle Lodge Restaurant	Open	Open - Buffet
Timbers Restaurant	Open	Open
Traders	Closed	Closed
Traditions on the Beach	Open	Open at 4pm
Twilight Restaurant Wine Bar	Open	Closed

Sanibel and Captiva Islands Luminary Festival

December 2^nd and 3^rd are the annual Luminary Festival Dates

For Sanibel and Captiva Islands.

Trolleys will be available to drive you to the Luminary Trail where you

Will find various local businesses welcoming you to enjoy free drinks

And snacks and entertainment. Sanibel begins at 5:30pm on Dec. 2^nd

And Captiva begins at 5:30pm on Dec. 3^rd. 

Annual Sanibel Thanksgiving Celebration

The annual Sanibel Thanksgiving Celebration service will take place
on Sunday, November 20, at The Community House on Periwinkle Way at
6:45 p.m. Everyone is invited to join this non-denominational service, which is a
celebration of Thanksgiving in words and song. The event is free and promises to
be both fun and uplifting.The mayor, the city manager and
representatives of all the island churches will take part, and there will be music and
song from the BIG ARTS Community Chorus, the LOGOS children from
Sanibel Community Church and several other island performers. Fellowship over
cookies, donated by Jerry’s Supermarket, and cider donated by Bailey’s, will follow
the Sanibel Celebration of Thanks.
Mary Bondurant, this year’s co-coordinator of the celebration, said, “We would
like everyone to join our Thanksgiving
celebration this year; sharing your blessings with those less fortunate makes
Thanksgiving more meaningful.” She also
encouraged guests to bring food or monetary donations for FISH, who will have a
representative there to speak of the continuing needs of islanders.
For more information, contact
Mary Bondurant on email Mary@
BondurantRealtyGroup.com or by phone,839-3633.

Rare wild flamingos spotted in SW Florida

They may be an unofficial Florida mascot, but wild-born flamingos have all but disappeared from the Sunshine State. Spotting one in these parts is "rarer than rare" says naturalist Vince McGrath, which is why area birders are abuzz about several recent sightings of the graceful creatures in Lee County.

A group of Alva Elementary School fourth-graders on a field trip to Bunche Beach near the Sanibel Causeway last week watched a lone flamingo feeding, preening and resting in the shallows before it took flight. The bird's feathers had only traces of the characteristic coral pink, which leads McGrath to believe it's a youngster.

Other birders have seen flamingos elsewhere in the region. Nine flew north past Barefoot Beach near Bonita Springs last week, says Gayle Sheets, who volunteers with Lee County Bird Patrol (birdpatrol.org), a group that monitors birds throughout Lee County.

It's a common misconception flamingos aren't native to Florida. Actually, before much of the state was replumbed and its wetlands drained, they were common here.

"Blame the (U.S.) Army Corps of Engineers," McGrath laughed.

Occasionally, captive flamingos escape from zoos and tourist attractions, especially after hurricanes. And judging by the behavior of the the young Bunche Beach bird, that may be the case, McGrath says.

"It let people get pretty close," he says, "and it didn't seem too bothered by them."

 

Media release from Edison Ford Winter Estates

Edison & Ford Winter Estates Programs – November 2011 Fort Myers, Florida (October 25, 2011) –November at the Edison & Ford Winter Estates is highlighted with the return of the Edison Annual Garden Market and Boat Tours from Captiva Island and “The Past in Paintings:  Edison & Ford Era” exhibit opening as well as a variety of other special programs and activities throughout the month.  The November schedule of programs and events include: NEW - Emerging Inventors Early Learning Class, November 3–The Wheels on the Ford… and November 17, Gobble Gobble, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. The Edison & Ford Winter Estates newest education program series is a child and parent learning class for children ages 1 - 3 years and their parents to involve children and families in informal learning at the world famous historical site.  Grandparents and caregivers are invited and neighborhood groups are also encouraged to attend.  The classes are theme based and combine science, invention, story book reading and hands-on activities as well as immersion into the historic gardens, buildings and museum.  The Early Learning Class continues twice a month throughout the year.  Cost:  Edison Ford Members $5, non members $15 each class.  Registration is required by calling 239-334-7419. Etiquette at Edison Ford:  Mina & Mimi’s Manners, November 5, 11 a.m. Mina Edison, wife of Thomas Edison, was a gracious hostess and interested in the well being of children and the community.  Following in this tradition, Etiquette at the Edison Ford includes one day (two hour) lessons in etiquette and social skills.  Children will learn proper introductions, handshakes and dining etiquette during a three course meal.  Class will be taught by Suzanne Willis who has taught similar classes at the Ritz-Carlton hotels throughout the nation.  Registration required.  Edison Ford Members $40; non members $50. Monthly Volunteer Meeting and New Volunteer Orientation, November 8, 9:30 a.m. Join Edison Ford volunteer staff and Charles Sobczak author of Living Sanibel – A Nature Guide to Sanibel & Captiva Islands and The Living Gulf Coast – A Nature Guide to Southwest Florida.   Sobczak will present “The Nature of Southwest Florida,” chronicling the beauty of the region and state of the area’s natural environment. This is a regular monthly volunteer meeting and mandatory training for all new Edison Ford volunteers but potential volunteers are also welcome. FREE Admission to Veterans and their Families, November 11 The Edison Ford is offering free admission to United States Veterans and their families on November 11th.  Free admission includes a tour of the historic homes, botanical gardens, the Estates Museum and the Edison Research Lab.  Veterans must present a VA identification card or their DD214 papers to receive free admission. Media Release - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Our mailing address is: PO Box 2368 Fort Myers, Chris Pendleton, President & CEO Lisa Sbuttoni, PR/Mark Chris Pendleton, President & CEO Lisa Sbuttoni, PR/Marketing Director 293-334-7419 Photos:  Edison Annual Garden Market, November 19 & 20; Boat cruises return for season; Artist Marie Dyer to teach floorcloth painting class November 19eting Director 293-334-7419 Photos:  Edison Annual Garden Market, November 19 & 20; Boat cruises return for season; Artist Marie Dyer to teach floorcloth painting class November 19 We're located at: 2350 McGregor Blvd Fort Myers, FL 33901

Center 4 Life Expanded Fitness Class Schedule Starts Monday, October 31^st

   

Expanded aerobics classes will be available at the Center 4 Life starting Monday, October 31st.

Weekly Fitness Class Schedule - Effective Monday, October 31^st

Mondays

8:00a Happy Hour Fitness
9:30a Essential Total Fitness

Tuesdays

8:00a Power Hour Fitness
9:30a Gentle Yoga     

Wednesdays

8:00a Happy Hour Fitness
9:30a Essential Total Fitness

Thursdays

8:00a Power Hour Fitness
9:30a Gentle Yoga     

Fridays

8:00a Happy Hour Fitness
9:30a Essential Total Fitness

To view the Center 4 Life Newsletter, click here. The Center 4 Life is located at 2401 Library Way. For more information please call (239) 472-5743.

 The Sanibel Recreation Center is located at 3880 Sanibel-Captiva Road.  Daily, weekly and annual memberships are available.  For more information call the Sanibel Recreation Center at (239) 472-0345 or visit our web site at www.mysanibel.com.