December
PIC from PARADISE
One Oyster and a Pinch of Paint = Santa Clams!
Thank you to our ever creative
for this month's pic
ENJOY!
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Proud Members of:
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
FLORIDA REALTORS®
Sanibel and Captiva Islands ASSOCIATION of REALTORS®
REALTOR® Association of Greater Fort Myers and the Beach
Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce
Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation
Sanibel Community Association
Big Arts
Captiva Island Yacht Club
Captiva Civic Assocaiton
We proudly support:
"Ding" Darling Wildlife Society
F.I.S.H. of SanCap
Zonta
Captiva Island Historical Society
Captiva Community Panel
Captiva Holiday Village
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Welcome to the
December edition of our
Sanibel/Captiva E-Newsletter
If you enjoy our Newsletter...please share it with your friends!
Life's a holiday all year long on Sanibel and Captiva Islands!
However the Christmas holidays add another dimension when they become a sparkling magical wonderland with twinkling lights and holiday décor thanks to islanders efforts to illuminate the Isles for residents and visitors alike.
Our island businesses are a major contributor to dressing up the islands for the holidays. A vibrant business community is a most important aspect to consider when purchasing a home. Sanibel and Captiva have a wonderful business infrastructure that offers everything you need from food to fashion, jewelry to hardware, and business professionals to abundant maintenance service providers.
This month's Guest columnist will showcase our business community. Please remember to support our local island businesses during the holidays for your holiday shopping and all yearlong as well. They are an extremely important aspect to any community's property value.
Check out the Best of Surf Sounds column and some island scenes in the Only on Captiva column. Hope you all will get a chance to see us in the Golf Cart parade this year. Here's a hint about our entry: It's gonna help a northern icon thaw out and get his island on!
The best holiday gift suggestions are in the Beggs Best Buys column. Imagine an island property as your own personal holiday home or as a permanent residence. Finally for that yummy treat that works perfectly for holiday guests as well as just when you crave them........GO TO the Recipe Column for the perfect formula and method.
We wish you and yours a most magical and joyous holiday season! See you next year!
Come for a visit ..... you'll want to stay for a
and we can help you make it happen ......
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| Guest Columnist / Get Educated
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Behind the Scenes of Paradise
What's the first thing that you see when approaching Sanibel & Captiva Islands for the first time - or even the fifth first time? Yes, I know, it's the causeway, it's the sparkling water, it's the osprey and pelicans flying above you, it's the unbroken blue sky and the subtropical warmth of the sun. Every time you come to the island these are some of the features that strike you afresh.
Then there's Periwinkle Way. This busy little road runs through Sanibel and leads you, via the San Cap Road, all the way to Captiva. It is occasionally lined with trees, occasionally with bicyclists and often with the special groupings of small and not quite so small shops - some with immediate appeal to the fisherman, the fashion lover, the shell seeker and the hungry.
Many of you know that you can get a quick overview of what the islands have to offer at the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center as you come onto the islands. Your visit - will suggest ideas that might not otherwise have occurred to you. Various apps on your phone can do much the same although interrogating your phone is not quite as easy as chatting to an informal, knowledgeable and friendly Chamber Visitor Center team member. Both will enhance your experience of Sanibel and Captiva - something to be welcomed when there is so much to delight the senses when you are here.
One fact you might not be aware of as you enjoy the delights of Sanibel and Captiva is the important role that businesses play on our islands. The business community supports a wealth of important non-profits who could not exist without their support. These range from organizations that look after our wildlife, our water quality, beach erosion and natural environment and our neighbors in need. From the smallest store to a large restaurant chain, every business on Sanibel and Captiva plays a part in ensuring that the life as we know it today continues for generations to come. You can take a look at the work of some of the island non-profits with the links at the end of this article.
In addition to these island non-profits, the Chamber of Commerce hosts two major events supported entirely by the business community - these are 4th of July Fireworks Celebrations and our special Luminary Festival, held the first week of December on both islands. These two major events are supported solely by our island businesses and without which these fun and magical ceremonies would not take place. Sanibel and Captiva islands are fortunate to have a thriving business community that understands its important role in maintaining and growing such a wonderful community.
If like me you are attracted by the beautiful tropical islands and the natural resources around use - take a closer look at how we have been able to keep Sanibel and Captiva special. If you choose to buy a house or condo here you will also know that you can enjoy the support of a thriving local business community.
Some Sanibel and Captiva active non-profits supported by our local business community include:
And the full list can be found on the Chamber of Commerce website
Sanibel
Captiva
Blanaid Colley is a member of the Board of Directors of the Sanibel & Captiva Chamber of Commerce. She and her husband moved to Sanibel in 2008 from London, England, having visited the islands for the previous 20 years.
Thank you for the information, Blanaid!
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| | Featured Property of the Month
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Captiva Village Easy Living
It's the ultimate gift
$1,095,000
Great Location!
2 marinas down the street & Village shops, restaurants and white sandy beaches right around the corner.
Two floors of living space
2 BR, 2 BA, spacious living/dining combo that spills out thru French Doors to outdoor covered dining and huge caged pool & spa.
2nd floor private 1 BR guest suite w/separate living room & kitchenette as well as outdoor deck for alfresco dining, star gazing or enjoying a peak of sunrise over the bay with morning coffee.
Recently Renovated
Over 200K in improvements include new wood flooring, baths, pool cage, fencing, landscaping & more.
START 2016 OFF RIGHT!
Make this home
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Some Highlights from
Fabulous '15!
- SCCF Awarded Conservation Organization of the Year by the Florida Wildlife Federation
- 2015 brought the life and death of celebrated local eagle, Ozzie
- Mayor Ruane selected as Citizen of the Year for his dedication to our environment and his many other accomplishments
- Sports Illustrated photographs for their famous swim suit edition on Captiva Island
- USA Today names "Ding" Darling Wildlife Refuge #2 Best National Wildlife Refuge in the country
- Sanibel Island Named the Best Family Fun Travel Destination by Parents magazine
- Rare Leatherback Turtle nests on Sanibel in early summer
- World Record Black Grouper caught off Sanibel's shores
- Sanibel and Captiva Islands sets a new record for the number of Sea turtle nests laid on its shores
Sanibel Lighthouse & Cottages
Decked Out in Holiday Garland,
Bows and Wreaths
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Near Beach Homes
and Condos
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It's Beginning to Look A Lot
Like Captiva Holidays...
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Captiva Luminary lights aglow
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Royal Shell dressed for the holidays
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The Island Store decking the halls
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Magical Captiva Holiday Village
December 11, 12 - South Seas Island Resort Holiday Stroll
December 12 - Captiva Island Boat Parade
December 13 - Chapel by the Sea Carol Sing
December 18, 19 - South Seas Island Resort Holiday Stroll
December 19 - Captiva Island Golf Cart Parade
December 25, 26 - South Seas Island Resort Holiday Stroll
 Looking for golf cart decorating inspiration?
Visit the Captiva Golf Cart Parade on Facebook
Captiva Voted #2 in the
Top Ten Christmas Towns in Florida
but its always #1 in our minds and hearts
http://www.onlyinyourstate.com/florida/christmas-towns-fl/
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We Just Sold
11545 Wightman Lane
Captiva
Looking for
Your Perfect Piece of Paradise?
Call us Today!
WHETHER BUYING OR SELLING
CALL THE #1 TEAM
CALL JOHN AND DENICE BEGGS
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| 2015 November Market Report
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November
Sales & New Listings
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SANIBEL
Total Sales for Sanibel:
$13,342,400
Sanibel Sept Sales
New to Market Homes
New to Market Vacant Land
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CAPTIVA ISLAND
Total for Captiva:
$1,620,000
New to Market Vacant Land
No New Vacant Land
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*All statistics taken from Sanibel-Captiva MLS.
*All Information Deemed Reliable But Not Guaranteed.
*The information provided represents a general compilation of real estate activity on the Islands. This info does not imply that BEGGS, REALTORS®, Royal Shell Real Estate is involved in these transactions nor is this intended to solicit property already listed.
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Sticky Buns from the Bubble Room
Where its
always Christmas!
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DOUGH
4 cups flour
1 stick butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 tbsp yeast
2/3 cup warm milk
1/2 tsp salt
3 eggs
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FILLING
1 stick warm butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup pecan pieces
1 cup dark raisins
Powdered cinnamon
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DIRECTIONS
Add yeast to 1/4 cup warm water and 1/2 tsp sugar. Let poof approximately 10 minutes
Mix ingredients in large mixing bowl. Add yeast and continue to mix and knead thoroughly. Place dough in greased bowl. Cover and let stand in a warm spot to rise, 10 - 20 minutes. After rising, re-knead dough for 2-3 minutes.
Divide dough into two batches. Roll out dough onto a buttered surface to 1/4" thick. Spread surface with butter, then sprinkle with brown sugar, pecan pieces and raisins. Dust with cinnamon. Roll up the dough and slice into pinwheels, 1 1/2 " thick. Set into greased muffin pans. Bake 350 degree oven for 8 - 12 minutes
Topping: 1 cup powdered sugar mixed with warm milk until consistency of runny icing. Add 1 tsp vanilla.
Don't feel like cooking???.....
Then head on over to the Bubble Room and enjoy some of their award winning meals and desserts in person. It is a totally unique Captiva experience.
239-472-5558
15001 Captiva Drive
Captiva FL 33924
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Stay Up-to-Date....
We invite you to visit our website to get to know us better and to search for your own piece of paradise!
Give us a call at 239-357-5500 if you're thinking about selling and would like us to prepare a comparative market analysis.
We are happy to be of service whether you're buying or selling to help you achieve your real estate goals.
Customer Appreciation is Our Specialty
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We appreciate your referrals
We wish to thank our clients who have been kind enough to refer business to us. We appreciate the opportunity to provide excellent service to your family, friends and co-workers.
Sincerely,
John and Denice Beggs 
Royal Shell Real Estate
Direct: 239-357-5500
Office: 239-472-0078
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