Volume 28, Number 10 NOVEMBER 2013 The Catch of the Day

Volume 28, Number 10 NOVEMBER 2013

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE GREATER FORT MYERS BEACH AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

OFFICERS/EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:

Norma Pevey, Chair – Associate Member

John Gavin, Chair Elect – Gavins Ace Hardware

Eric Tibbs, Vice Chair – Edward Jones & Company

David Anderson, Treasurer – Krusty Pete's

Bud Nocera, President – FMB Chamber

Fran Myers, Foundation – Red Coconut RV Park

RETIRING 31 DECEMBER 2013

Jim Lambeth – A Better Bugman

John Armitstead – Lee Memorial Health Systems


Steve DeAngelis – Nervous Nellie’s

Terry Luster – Kiwanis Ft. Myers Gateway to Islands

Ann Alsop – Associate Member

Robb Capps – Premier Sandals Realty


Curt Brenner – Gullwing Beach Resort

Donna Bates – AAA Travel

Ellis Etter – Pink Shell Resort & Marina

Barbara Farrell – iBERIABANK

SPECIAL DIRECTORSTom Hart – Humphrey Knott et al

Fran Myers – Red Coconut RV Park

FOUNDATION BOARD DIRECTORS:

John Albion

Ann Alsop – C21 Tripower

Maryanne Baker – Sunstream Realty Inc

Linda Beasley – Outer Island Mortgage

Rob Fowler – Fowler Company

Ginny Smith – Pink Shell Development

FOUNDATION BOARD OFFICERS:

Fran Myers, President – Red Coconut RV Resort

FortMyersBeach.org239-454-7500

The Catchof the Day

Join us Thursday, November 14that 11:30am

at Charley’s Boat House Grill, 6241 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach, for a delicious Membership Luncheon.

Our Membership Luncheon will be in the morning this month to help everyone beat the traffic.

Join us Thursday, March 14th at 8:30am at Charley’s Boat House

Grill, 6241 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach for a delicious

Breakfast Buffet.

Meet Terry Brennen, Director, Community Funding WGCU Public Media

Terry Brennen, Director, Community Funding WGCU Public Me-dia, will be the speaker at our November Luncheon. He has been with the station for the past 13 years. During that period WGCU has produced more than 20 documentary style pro-grams about Southwest Florida, with many going on to PBS stations across America. WGCU's recent hour-long documen-tary Silver King: The Birth of Big Game Fishing, was distrib-uted to 172 PBS stations. Brennen has spent more than 43 years in the media business.

Pink Gold Rush chronicles the last 40 years of the shrimp industry in Fort Myers Beach and its changes. Are independent shrimpers and a vibrant working waterfront fading into the pages of history in Fort Myers Beach? Is the “Pink Gold Rush” that had its heyday

in the 70s really coming to an end? Or is the $55 million industry just adapting to 21st century challenges like rising fuel costs and cheap, convenient imports?

Through the eyes and hearts of Fort Myers Beach shrimping families, WGCU explores shifting realties that reflect our waning American tradition of independent fishing even in a thriving, healthy fishery. Learn about the challenges and successes of keeping what many consider to be the world’s tastiest, sweetest pink shrimp as a renewable resource.

The Fort Myers Beach working waterfront and shrimping industry is under increased competition from international imports of farm raised shrimp that threaten its stainability by offering lower-cost, more easily accessible product.

The WGCU project will investigate this problem and will provide information about how few res-taurants/stores actually serve/sell pink shrimp; how the international imports are raised with fewer environmental and processing standards and how the livelihood of shrimpers is at stake. It also will address how the ecological health of the Gulf of Mexico is vital to the continued sus-tenance of this species.

NOVEMBER 20132 FortMyersBeach.org

17200 San Carlos Blvd.Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931

239-454-7500 / FAX: 239-454-7910

[email protected]

If you would like to join any of these committees,

contact Jane Ross at 454-7500.

All meetings are held at the Chamber office unless otherwise noted.

Join a committee and make a difference!

Membership Lunch @ Charley’s Boathouse

11:30 amNovember 14

Bud Nocera – PresidentJane Ross – Member Service and Volunteer Coordinator

Cindi D’Andrea – Director of SalesMary Beth Broderson-Soper – Accounting

Doug McElheny – Internet & Social Media ManagerPete Frye – Front Desk

Kathy Hanagan – Front DeskJanet Malloy – Front Desk

Executive Committee Meeting8:00 amNovember 13

Board of Directors Meeting8:00 amNovember 20

Traffic Committee10:00 am - 11:00 amNovember 21

Nov. 22 – Dec. 1 American Sandsculpting Championships

Saturday, December 7Christmas Boat Parade

Donna Bates of AAA

Brandan Brandise – Diamond Head Beach Resort

Ali Carter – Diamond Head Beach Resort

Carolyn Crosby

Patsy Dorsey of Fort Myers Beach Lions Club

Michelle Forneris – Diamond Head Beach Resort

Sandy Hein

Sara Holderfield of Tanger Outlet Mall

Jackie Hornack – Diamond Head Beach Resort

Joni Johnson

Debby Kildow

Cheryl Nye

Pam Schindler

Jessica Titus of Fort Myers Beach Realty

Ken Tribble of Re/Max Realty

Jean-Ann Walker

Debbie Whitehead

Chamber Coffee Connection @ Jungle Golf,17710 San Carlos Blvd

7:30 to 9:00 amNovember 7

Business After Hours @ Outrigger Island Resort

5:30 - 7:00 pm

NOVEMBER 2013 3FortMyersBeach.org

Like to play in the sand? Need 200 volunteers for our 27th Annual American Sandsculpting Championship November 22 to December 1. Event hours are 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Day is divided into two shifts. No heavy lifting involved. Please call Jane Ross at 454-7500 or email [email protected] WE NEED YOU!

Looking for people who love the Beach, love people and love to have Fun. Share your knowledge and join our volunteers in the Roxie. Still have a few shifts available. Call Jane Ross at 454-7500 if you can donate some of your time.

The Hampton Inn is the Luncheon sponsor for the November 14th Membership lunch.

The Lynx Educational Foundation is a non-profit, non-partisan, educational organization, dedicated to hands-on educational programs that teach the history of America's struggle to preserve its independence. The maritime challenges during the War of 1812 are taught aboard the American Privateer Schooner Lynx utilizing a comprehensive, interactive program designed to enrich personal achievement through teamwork and the discipline of sail training. The Lynx Educational Foundation is dedicated to all those who cherish the blessings of America.

America’s Privateer Lynx will be returning to her winter home in Ft Myers Beach at Nervous Nellie’s Eatery on Nov 30th, 2013 at 12:00 pm thru January 12th, 2014. Returning March 21st , 2014 thru May 18th, 2014. To book their excursion they will need to contact the office at 866-446-5969 or visit us online at www.privateerlynx.com

Come experience an amazing piece of history . This floating museum is a great way to learn some 1812 history, and to sail into the sunset on the Bay. The Privateer Lynx is so much more than just a ship ride, it’s an interactive- and very fun- way to learn.

The Lynx Educational Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonpro�t, non-partisan, educational organization, dedicated to hands- on educational programs that teach the history of Americas struggle to preserve its independence. For donation information, please contact the Lynx Educational Foundation at 866-446-5969. Tax ID # 04-3712260

Must purshase this offer by Dec 31st . It can be used any time while the ship is in Ft Myers in 2013 through 2014. Reservation’s will need to be made in advance.

This offer is only valid when you call 1-866-446-5969 not valid if purchased on-line.

Day SailsPort to Port Passages Private Charters10% off

Sailing into History

Introducing future Board Member of the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce, Andrew Ezekiel Tibbs. Shown with proud dad Vice Chair of the Board Eric Tibbs. Zeke, as he is fondly referred to, was born

Friday September 13th, to Eric and Melody Tibbs.

Welcome to our world little Zeke.


Yet Another Water Crisis

By Bud Nocera

There is another water crisis facing prop-erty owners on Fort Myers Beach. The water quality from the Lake O releases is still, and will continue to be, an issue to which every one of us needs to pay attention and remain involved. But as of October 1 another water crisis appeared in the form of federal flood insurance policy rates. This crisis has the po-tential of having a devastating financial im-pact on Beach property owners. It could well stop the recovery in our housing industry and it has the potential to change the very nature of our beach residential community.

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) was established by Congress in 1968 to de-crease the U.S. government’s fiscal burden associated with future floor disasters. Today, the NFIP provides coverage to nearly 5.6 mil-lion policyholders, with over 2 million policies in Florida.

New rules for federal flood insurance premi-ums were established by the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012. This law went into effect October 1, 2013. The purpose of the legislation was meant to put the fed-eral program on a more solid fiscal founda-tion and increase catastrophic reserve funds. Not a bad idea, right? After all, Hurricane Ka-trina and Super Storm Sandy put the federal flood insurance program $24 billion in debt. The backers of this legislation believed the only way to eliminate that debt is by elimi-nating the subsidies that keep coastal flood insurance rates affordable for homeowners. So the federal flood insurance credits are being removed. Thus the good idea became one with perhaps unintended, but very bad consequences.

Property owners with mortgages on Fort My-ers Beach are required by their mortgage companies to have flood insurance. Federal

flood insurance is the only flood insurance available. The changes to the NFIP provided some of the affected policy holders with a structured high annual rate increases (25% annually) over time. But it failed to provide a rate increase structure over time for primary residences purchased after July 6, 2012. The act abruptly eliminated those subsidies without any consideration of the financial consequences for affected property owners, including those who own homes on Estero Island.

The result? All property owners on Estero Is-land will see significant rate hikes and new homeowners will see devastating increases in flood insurance premiums this year. People who want to buy property own the beach may choose not to because of the insurance ex-pense. Property owners who need to mortgage their home may no longer be able to afford to live on the island. It may mean real estate on the beach becomes the domain of cash investors who can self insure and who will use their properties as rental investments. That will mean a change to the nature and fabric of our community. Rentals will become more expensive.

Adding insult to this calamity is the fact that Florida has traditionally been a “donor state” to the federal flood insurance program. Since its inception, Florida property owners have contributed over $16 billion in premium pay-ments to the program but have made only $4 billion in claims. Additionally, FEMA has made it more difficult for local government to challenge both flood maps and rates.

Congressman Trey Radel (R-Fort Myers) has shown leadership on this issue. Congress-man Richard Nugent (R-Spring Hill) has proposed legislation (H.R. 3218), which Con-gressman Radel has co-sponsored. This bill will freeze the current and impending rate increases.

The decision made by Congress on H.R. 3218 in the next few months will have a great eco-nomic impact on our beach property owners and real estate community. It is time for ev-ery beach resident to get behind Congress-man Radel’s bill. In addition, each of us needs to encourage our snow bird friends to get their congressional representatives back home to get behind the bill. If they do not, their winter residences or winter rentals will become more expensive in future years.


John is a Financial Representative with Northwestern Mutual and our newest Ambassador at the Fort Myers Beach Chamber. He is originally from Connecticut but moved to Southwest Florida to attend Florida Gulf Coast University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Management Degree.

John and his Fiancé Meghan are Fort Myers Beach residents, raising their 16 month old daughter Khloe in paradise. He joined the Fort My-ers Beach Chamber to develop relationships with other professionals in his new home town and become more active in the community.

Backed by the strength of Northwestern Mutual, John and his team provide you with a balanced approach to achieving your goal of financial security, assuring that your intentions have been understood and your needs are being addressed. And when it comes to implementing solutions, the full capabilities of Northwestern Mutual are leveraged to provide you with exclusive access to a comprehensive variety of products and services.

John’s primary focus is to develop personal relationships that help individuals create long term financial security for themselves and their families. Feel free to contact John at (239) 676-2330 or stop by his office located in Coconut Point Mall at 23160 Fashion Drive, Suite 217 Estero, FL 33928.

Debra Anderson – Universal VacationsDwayne Bowes – Residence Inn Fort

Myers/SanibelRobb Capps – Premier Florida Realty

John Crane - Northwestern Mutual Naples/Estero Group

Steve DeAngelis – Nervous Nellie’s Inc.Barbara Farrell – iBERIABANK

Jaime Huffman – Pieces of Eight Pirate Cruise

Denice Knudsen – Premier Florida RealtySandy Lepley – Century 21 Tripower

Wanda Linatsas – Royal Scoop Ice CreamTerry Luster – Kiwanis Club of Fort Myers

Gateway to the IslandsFran Podraza – CFS Roofing Services

Barb Rich – VIP VacationsJan Ruhstorfer – VIP Vacations

Charles Stallings – Hampton Inn & SuitesEric Tibbs – Edward Jones & Co.

John P. Crane, Financial Representative with Northwestern Mutual

It’s time to hit the beach! The American Sand Sculpting Cham-pionships are November 22nd to December 1st, 2013 at the Holi-day Inn on Fort Myers Beach.

Bring the whole gang down to Fort Myers Beach and watch sculp-tors from around the world use over 1,000 tons of sand to turn Fort Myers Beach into a tempo-rary art gallery. Come watch and participate in special events all week long as Master, Advanced Amateur and Amateur competitors battle it out for the number one spot. We invite everyone of all ages to come and learn the tricks of the pros in daily workshops, use their newly acquired skills to compete against fellow audience members, get inspired, and make memories with young ones that will last for years.

27th Annual American Sandsculpting Championship

We need 200 volunteers! No heavy lifting involved. Call Jane Ross at 454-7500 if you can donate some of your time to this event!

For more information, please visit:

www.FMBsandsculpting.com


Newsletter Ads$50 - 1/8 page $75- 1/4 page $100- 1/2 page

Affordable Member-2-Member Adveritsing

For more details, contact: Cindi D'Andrea at [email protected] or 239-454-7500 ext 206

Best Deal

$150 / INSERT (up to 8.5” x 11”)


The Spirit of the Holidays Committee is being chaired by Ginny and Shannon Smith. They are in need of more committee members to help them.

The schedule for the Spirit of the Holiday is:

Tuesday December 3: Dinner/Auction 5:30 to 10:00 pm @ South Beach Grille

Saturday December 14: Pancake Breakfast @ Red Coconut Club House

Monday December 16: Wrapping party @ Red Coconut Club House

Tuesday December 17: Firemen with Santa deliver presents.

The Committee is also seeking donations for the auction. For more information call the Chamber office at 454-7500 or Red Coconut.

Spirit of the Holidays

FT. MYERS BEACH INSURANCE BROKERAGE

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Immediate CoverageAvailable!

“We Shop and Quote for You!”

l 400 Top Rated Insurance Companiesl Writing the Entire State of Florida

Richard D. KargerAgency Principal

Office: 239-233-8264 Cell: 239-321-4788Fax: [email protected]

1661 Estero Blvd. Suite 16 , Ft. Myers Beach, FL 33931

UPSTAIRS:KEY ESTERO

SHOPS

““ TT HH EE FF LL OO OO DD II NN SS UU RR AA NN CC EE EE XX PP EE RR TT SS ””BB II GG GG EE RR TT-- WW AATT EE RR SS AA CC TT II SS HH EE RR EE !! !!

SS ee ee hh oo ww tt hh ii ss ww ii ll ll aa ff ff ee cc tt yy oo uu rr FF ll oo oo dd II nn ss uu rr aa nn cc ee RR aa tt ee ss ??CC AA LL LL ff oo rr aa FF RR EE EE QQ UU OO TT EE TT oo dd aa yy !! WE RETURN

PHONE CALLS!

FREEQUOTES

Tax Credit for

DonationsDid you know you can donate that old car, boat, RV, and appliance

to the Fort Myers Beach Chamber Foundation and get a tax credit?

So get on with fall house cleaning, clean out that

garage.

DONATE.

Call Jane at 454-7500 for more information.


Fort Myers Beach Chamber held their monthly Chamber Coffee Connection at Mango Street Inn on Thursday Oct. 3. Shown (left to right) is Trish Cotte of Torchlight Productions, LLC, Ambassador Debra Anderson of Universal Vacations, Jane Ross of the FMB Chamber, Debra Salyers of Sunshine Window Fashions and Design, Denice Monahan of Seacoast Cottage Co.

Photo by Bob Petcher of the Observer

Coffee Connection

Chamber Coffee Connection Thursday Oct. 3 at Mango Street Inn (left to right) Ambassador Fran Podraza of CFS Services, Ambassador and Board Member Barbara Farrell of iBERIABANK and FMB Town Manager Terry Stewart.

Photo by Jane Ross

Busy ladies take a break at Mango Street Inn (left to right) Ambassador and Board Member Barb Farrell of iBERIABANK, Ambassador Denice Knudsen of Premier Florida Realty and Donna Maul of FMB Community Foundation.

Photo by Jane Ross

Hosts for Chamber Coffee Connection on Thursday Oct. 3 were Town Councilman and Chef Dan Andre and his beautiful wife Tree. They are the owners and operators of the Bed And Breakfast Mango Street Inn located at 126 Mango Street on beautiful Fort Myers Beach.

Photo by Jane Ross

Pictured in center is FMB Elementary School Principal Larry Wood with (on left) Tom Swanbeck of VIP Realty and LaVerne Wicks of Brown and Brown of Fl. Inc. at the Mango Street Inn Chamber Coffee Connection.

Photo by Jane Ross


Chamber President Bud Nocera and Chairman of the Board Norma Jean Pevey celebrate the Pirate Fest a bit early at the Membership Lunch.

Membership Luncheon

Lunch Sponsor Bill Fagan of SPD Solutions explains how they can save companies money with their trash and recycling.

Guest speaker at the Chamber Membership lunch, Roland Ottolini, address the membership on water quality.

New members of the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce receive their plaques at the Membership lunch held at Charley's Boathouse on Thursday October 10. Shown left to right are Chamber Chairman of the Board Norma Jean Pevey with Beth Haely, Brian Johnson and Gina Barfield of Fort Myers Scene; Nick Miller of The Shutter Guy; Richard Humeston of Riptide Wave Runners; and Bud Nocera, Chamber President.

Photos by Jane Ross

THE SAND PAPER HAS GONE MOBILE!www.i-sandpaper.com to check it out the best information guide for our area!

WANT TO GET YOUR MESSAGE OUT TO 100,000 + READERS EACH MONTH? Charter advertisers on i-sandpaper.com get Special Rates until 12/31/13 that are Too Good to Turn Down! ACT NOW TO GET THE MOST BENEFIT. CALL 463-4461 AND ASK FOR SANDY IN ADVERTISING!

Log on to www.I-sandpaper.comcheck it out!

The best mobile information guide for our area!Would you expect less from your Sand Paper?

Where to Shop, Dine, & Stay, & What To Do. Also: Where are the Deals?

Bookmark it or add app icon to your Home Screen!Built for convenience and speed on smart phones, tablets, or PC's too.


Pirate Fest

Photo courtesty of Island Sand Paper

Photo by Bud Nocera Photo by Bud Nocera

Photo courtesty of Island Sand Paper Photo courtesty of Island Sand Paper

Photo by Bob Petcher of The Observer Photo by Bob Petcher of The Observer


Photo by Bud Nocera

Pirate Fest

Photo by Bob Petcher of The Observer

Photo by Bud Nocera Photo by Bud Nocera

Photo by Bob Petcher of The Observer Photo by Bob Petcher of The Observer Photo by Bob Petcher of The Observer

Chamber Members receive 15% Off yourWhole Guest Check ONE COUPON PER TABLE Can not be used with any other offer. 18% Gratuity may be added to bill before discount. 11am - 10pm, Expires October 6th,20131131 1st St., Ft. Myers Beach • www.nervousnellies.netGPS Coordinates: 26”27’23.41” N • 81”57’15.18” W

FREE

MARINA DOCKAGE

with Dock Attendant’s

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Where it’s Happy Hour

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Lunch, Dinner andSnacks in Between

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Volume 28, Number 10 NOVEMBER 2013 The Catch of the Day

Documents

Transcript of Volume 28, Number 10 NOVEMBER 2013 The Catch of the Day