Sanibel's Shining Star

If you haven't treated yourself recently, be sure and stop in Shiny Objects in Tahitian Gardens. You don't need to buy one of their beautiful pieces (but you'd be silly not to), you just need to meet Marcos DeAraujo. Marcos is an E-Award's winner this year and an employee extraordinaire. He is Mr. Customer Service and Tahitian Garden's version of a Nordie (Nordstrom's employee)! Gracious, helpful, considerate, with a flair for color and the ability to coordinate your favorite shiny objects. He truly goes above and beyond to make your shopping experience an enjoyable memory.

"I am still shocked at having received this award," was his comment several days after the ceremony. The award is named after Elaine McLaughlin, former executive director of the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau. Since its inception 10 years ago it has been bestowed on employees of tourism and supporting industries who exhibit exceptional customer service. Over 300 Lee County employees were nominated this year; only a handful actually received an award.

Stop in and meet Marcos, be reminded of what great customer service is all about. And while you're there, peruse the shiny objects displayed on the walls. You may not spend a fortune, but you'll leave feeling like a million!

Port Sanibel Marina's New, LOW, Wet Slip Rates

Sanibel- (Sept. 23, 2010) - "We believe we currently offer the lowest dockage rates in the area, along with one of the quickest access times to popular boating destinations," stated Evelyn Steward, dock master at Port Sanibel Marina. Yearly dockage is now $11.00 per foot with an additional two months Free at the end of the lease. Six month leases are now $12.00 per foot with an additional one month Free at the end of the lease. Month to month dockage is available at $13.00 per foot.

By water Port Sanibel Marina is just a 15 minute cruise to the Gulf, the ICW or the river. By lad it is located at 14341 Port Comfort Road in Ft. Myers, off McGregor one mile before the Sanibel Causeway Bridge, easy access year round.

Port Sanibel Marina has fixed docks, beautiful green spaces for doggy time, a half-mile long boardwalk through the mangrove forest for morning walks and free, convenient, pavered parking close to your boat. Clean and bright restrooms, showers, and laundry make this a comfortable and convenient place to dock your boat.

Low rates, special fuel rates for boats call in the marina home and ship store discounts will enhance your boating pleasure. Experience the comfort, security, easy access and friendly staff at Port Sanibel Marina. The Lighthouse Restaurant, an award winning establishment, is situated on the property for your dining enjoyment.

Call 239-437-1660 or visit us online: www.PortSanibelMarina.com

Sanibel Fall Cruise Schedule

Adventures In Paradise located at Port Sanibel Marina announces their new Autumn Cruise Schedule.

Fishing the Backwaters Sealife Encounter Excursions Dolphin Watches Shelling & Lunch

plus our romantic

Sunset Cruise.

Paddle a canoe or kayak through the mangrove trail or rent one of our Grady White or Azure Power Boats. Ship store is open daily 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. for all your boating needs.

Backwater Fishing departs at 9:00 a.m., returns at noon. Everything you need to fish is provided.

Shelling the Outer Islands including lunch on Cabbage Key departs at 9:00 a.m. and returns at 3:00 p.m Complimentary chairs, umbrellas and floats provided.

The Sealife Encounter Excursion departs at 12:30 p.m. returning at 3:00 p.m. Join Florida Gulf Coast University marine biologists on board for netting, observing and hands on experiences.

For a romantic and relaxing end of the day experience our Sunset Cruise on "Dolphin Waters", a 45 foot powered catamaran. Sailing at 6:30 p.m. and returning at 8:00 p.m. Enjoy a romantic sunset, watch dolphins play and experience a variety of birds settling in for the evening on remote sanctuary islands. Complementary soft drinks and water provided.

All cruises depart from Port Sanibel Marina at 14341 Port Comfort Road. Call 239-472-8443 or 239-437-1660 to reserve your complementary trolley pick up or for additional information. Visit us online http://www.adventuresinparadise.com/.

Sanibel Shopping or the Sanibel Stoop?

People come out to Sanibel to shell and end the day with the Sanibel Stoop! That bent over look from hours of hunting in the sand for the elusive Junonia or other marvels that wash up on shore!

If you need a break during the day, straighten out and head over to some of the shopping centers and discover another Sanibel experience, Shopping in privately owned stores! This is what we all wish for as we sit on hold, argue with our computer or stand in the middle of a box store looking for someone who can help. A real store with a real on site proprietor who knows their product, stands behind it and wants to see a happy customer walk out their door.

So if you're looking for a great way to spend Labor Day, support an American business person and buy local. Within a mile on and off Periwinkle you'll find Tahitian Gardens, The Village Shops, Olde Sanibel Shoppes and Town Center. A combination of about 30 stores and restaurants of which many will be open for your shopping enjoyment.
P.S. A Sanibel shopping bonus:you can shop in your flip flops and cover up. Dress code is relaxed!

On Sanibel & Captiva? Why Knot have some Champagne???

Are you over 21 and looking for a fun Mother's Day outing with Mom?

From noon until 4 p.m. Why Knot located at 2340 Periwinkle Way on Sanibel Island is hosting a Mother's Day shopping event. This Sanibel Island shopping destination is serving complementary champagne as you explore their popular fashion choices. The new FLAX Linen line has arrived just in time for Mother's Day shopping. While you're there, sign up to win a complementary hair cut from Tribeca Salon! For Why Knot & Why Knot Relax's phone number and driving directions visit www.ShopOnSanibel.com.

BIG ARTS Celebration on Sanibel-Captiva

A celebration of fashion, gems, art and island lifestyle to benefit BIG ARTS and sponsored by The Royal Shell Companies last Wednesday at Ellington's on Sanibel, was a great success. More than 80 people attended and over $6300 was raised.

Jean Baer was fashion show emcee and auctioneer. Alan Maltz work "In The Flow" brought in the most money. The main auction item, a special edition framed print by famous Captiva Artist Darryl Pottorf is still avaiable and can be seen at William E. Wilson Fine Jewelry Design in The Village Shops, 2340 Periwinkle Way on Sanibel through Wednesday, April 28. If the print is sold by Wednesday, Mr. Pottorf will donate the proceeds to BIG ARTS. Reserve amount on this charming print "Tulips are Better Than One" is $1750. Interested persons should contact Barbara Harrington at 239-472-2783 by Wednesday, April 28th.

The SP edition print is one of the first 50 run and preceeds the numbered prints 1-100 which will be auctioned unframed at the Arts for Act Auction later this year. Those prints will be priced higher than the current framed piece.

Photos: http://insite-photography.com/clients/rs_big_arts_ellingtons/index.html

Participating shops: Adventures In Paradise, Island Girl Boutique, Pelican's Roost, The Cedar Chest Fine Jewelry, William E. Wilson Fine Jewelry Design.

A Sanibel-Captiva Celebration for BIG ARTS

If you're on Sanibel or Captiva Wednesday, April 21, stop in Ellington's 1244 Periwinkle Way at noon.A true island celebration sponsored by The Royal Shell Companies! is taking place. The first 100 attendees receive a box of Norman Love Chocolates courtesy of The Royal Shell Companies.

BIG ARTS benefits from this island extravaganza. Fashions and jewelry courtesy of Adventures In Paradise, Island Girl Boutique, Pelican's Roost, The Cedar Chest Fine Jewelry and William E. Wilson Fine Jewelry Design. All individually owned island boutiques with a flair for tropical fashion and beautiful jewelry.

In addition to the fashions and jewelry, we have raffle items that emphasize island experiences such as: boat cruises, dinner & a movie, golf packages, spa treatments, kayak trips, pet goodies,dining out around the island and other activities and services.

The live auction, conducted by island resident Jean Baer, includes:
a print by Captiva artist Darryl Pottorf,
a fine art photograph by Alan Maltz,
beautiful jewlery pieces,
advertising packages,
a fishing trip for four and
vacation stays.

RSVP with your menu selection to: 239-333-3575 by April 19th.
Cost: $35 at the Door.


Lunch choices: Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken or Seared Tuna
Vegetable Wrap with Poppy Seed Dressing
Chicken Caesar Wrap

Wine Choices: Beaulieu Vineyards Century Cellars
Cabernet, Merlot, Chardonnay (% of wine proceeds benefit BIG ARTS)

Fashion Show supports BIG ARTS on Sanibel-Captiva

Next Wednesday’s Fashion Show benefitting BIG ARTS is coming together nicely. The live auction includes art from famous Captiva artist Darryl Pottorf, vacation stays, fine art photography from Alan Maltz and jewelry. Items are still coming in!

Sanibel & Captiva businesses have dontated raffle items such as a mom’s morning at a local resort where the kids play in the organized program and mom & friends get to hang out at the pool, boat excursions, shelling trips, kayak rentals, gift certificates for local eateries, spa treatments, pet supplies, and more.

The first 100 attendees receive a box of Norman Love Confections courtesy of The Royal Shell Companies, the event sponsors.

Ellington’s Restaurant, located at 1244 Periwinkle Way, is the location for the fashion show. Cost is $35 per person payable at the door. Lunch choices are 1 Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken, 2 Caesar Salad with Seared Tuna, 3 Vegetable Wrap with Poppy Seed Dressing, 4 Chicken Caesar Wrap. The sommeliers wine choices are: Beaulieu Vineyards Century Cellars Cabernet, Merlot & Chardonnay. A portion of the sommeliers choice wines benefits BIG ARTS. Make your reservation by calling the RSVP line at 239-333-3575 no later than Monday, April 19th.

We anticipate a fun afternoon celebrating island fashion and life style!

The Sanibel School Art Display

The most recent display of art from student's at The Sanibel School is now hanging at Tahitian Gardens, 1975 Periwinkle Way. This month's display features works my local students in watercolor relief, mixed media and some amazing masks. Art teacher Tylor Stewart really promotes the student's creativity.

This months selection is quite varied and colorful and will hang until the end of the month.

Sanibel-captiva car show

Be a part of the show! Bring your car to 2nd annual car show @Tahitian gardens next Sat. From 10-3. Support PURrE see the R+L Carriers show car. Raffles silent auction food &fun.

Sanibel Captiva Car Show

Car lovers unite! Saturday, March 20 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. we're holding the 2nd annual Tahaitian Gardens Car Show. This year it benefits PURRE (People United to Restore our Rivers & Estuaries). A $20 entry fee gets your car into the show, proceeds benefit PURRE & you get a commemorative t-shirt & goodie bag. All vehicles are welcome. Island Style show, relaxed and informal.To register for the show contact 239-472-2783.
Tahitian Gardens is located at 1975 Periwinkle Way on Sanibel Island, Florida.

2nd Annual Tahitian Gardens Car Show

We're getting ready for the 2nd Annual Tahitian Gardens Car Show on Saturday, March 20 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Tahitian Gardens is located at 1975 Periwinkle Way on beautiful Sanibel Island. All types of vehicles are welcome and there is still room.
We are preregistering vehicles now. On site registration will begin at 8 a.m. show day but space is limited, pre-registration is suggested.

This year's show benefits PURRE (People United to Restore our Rivers & Estuaries).
There is a $20 charge to enter your vehicle in the show. Entrants in the informal island style show receive a collectible t-shirt, the opportunity to participate in the 50/50 raffle and a goodie bag. There will be a professional photographer on-hand to take your photo with your car or just a photo of your car. There are no formal contests or judging. Proceeds from the days activities benefit PURRE.

The public is free but donations to PURRE are appreciated. Along with the car show, R+L Carriers Racing Hauler & Show Car will be on display. We're raffling off the chance to start the car each hour and you can choose to get your photo taken with the show car. 100% of the raffle monies and a portion of the photo cost will benefit PURRE.

There will be snacks & soft drinks, raffles, silent auctions,and some very cool cars on display. We have some exciting silent auction items and over 70 raffle items to keep the day quite interesting!

Mark your calendar and bring the family. Tahitian Gardens on Sanibel Island;see you there!