Business Notes
100+ WOMEN WHO CARE TO MEET
100+ Women Who Care Sanibel & Captiva Islands will hold its first meeting of the season on Feb. 10 from 9 to 10 a.m. at the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors, at 2353 Periwinkle Way, Suite 201, Sanibel.
It is a giving circle where members donate $100 per meeting, with three meetings held each season. At each meeting, members hear short pitches from three local nonprofits that are randomly selected and then vote to award the pooled funds to the nonprofit with the most votes.
The 2026 season will include an additional $18,000 in grant funding, made possible by two anonymous donors. The funds will increase the first-place award, plus extend grants to the second- and third-place nonprofits.
100+ Women Who Care Sanibel & Captiva Islands is powered by the Charitable Foundation of the Islands, and Florida Trust Wealth Management is its season sponsor.
The meeting is open to members and those interested in joining.
To sign up as a member, visit SanCap100.org or mail a check for $300 to P.O. Box 1429, Sanibel, FL 33957; checks should be made payable to the Charitable Foundation of the Islands, with “100+ Women Who Care” in the memo line.
Members can attend the meeting in person or via Zoom.
To attend or for more information, visit online or contact 100women@sancapcfi.org.
BUBBLE ROOM CAKES AVAILABLE TO SHIP
The Bubble Room on Captiva recently announced a new partnership with Goldbelly.
The restaurant’s cakes and more are now available for nationwide shipping.
Some of the whole cakes include the Chocolate Cake, Jamaican Rum Cake, Orange Crunch Cake and Red Velvet Cake, along with merchandise such as T-shirts, a coffee mug, playing cards and more.
To shop, visit https://www.goldbelly.com/ and search for “The Bubble Room.”
For more information about the restaurant, visit https://bubbleroomrestaurant.com.
The Bubble Room is at 15001 Captiva Drive, Captiva.
CITY REMINDS OF RENTAL PROPERTY CRITERIA
The city of Sanibel reminded the community that most homes on the island may only be rented for a minimum of four consecutive weeks, and not less than four consecutive weeks.
Those interested in renting their property are required to have a rental dwelling license and a business tax receipt.
For more information on rental regulations, contact the Planning Department at 239-472-4136 or sanplan@mysanibel.com.
For more information on licensing, call the Finance Department at 239-472-9615.
SCIAR HOLDS INSTALLATION, AWARDS GALA
The Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors (SCIAR) hosted its 2026 Installation & Awards Gala on Jan. 15 at its office on Sanibel, which featured a Mardi Gras-themed dinner and program.
The officers installed for 2026 are President Tina DiCharia, President-elect Kelly Huguenin, Treasurer Janka Varmuza, Secretary Melanie Holaway and Past President Becky Mulka.
The directors are Ted Benjamin, Bryan Hall, George Kohlbrenner and Milissa Sprecher.
The 2025 award recipients are: Becky Mulka, Realtor of the Year; Heather Chevalier, Administrative Support Award; Amanda Curran of Superior Title and Dave Arter of Private Client/Gallagher Insurance Company, Affiliate Business Partners of the Year; Milissa Sprecher, Newcomer of the Year; and Eric Pfeifer, Community Service Award recipient.
It also honored outstanding members for their service and achievements, including Glen Simmons, who was recognized as a “Wall of Famer” for 20 years of service to the SCIAR and real estate community.
The event was made possible through the support of: Heidrick & Co. Insurance, Private Client Insurance, Royal Shell Real Estate, Simmons & Cook, and Superior Title as gold sponsors; Decorating Den Interiors, Pfeifer Realty Group, and Sanibel Captiva Community Bank as silver sponsors; Alliant Property Management, Lake Michigan Credit Union, andMason Mortgage Advisors as bronze sponsors.
PFEIFER REALTY ANNOUNCES TOP PRODUCERS
The Pfeifer Realty Group announced its overall top producing agents for 2025.
Jennifer McSorley led the firm as the Top Producing Agent. Her results reflect her deep market knowledge, strong client relationships, and consistent ability to navigate complex transactions with professionalism and care. McSorley’s commitment to delivering outstanding service and achieving exceptional outcomes for buyers and sellers alike has set her apart within the brokerage.
Wendy Kirschner earned recognition as the Second Top Producing Agent. Her steady performance, strategic approach, and ability to guide clients through every stage of the real estate process have made her a trusted advisor and consistent producer.
Tanner Miller was recognized as Third Top Producing Agent. He is known for his strong local insight, client-first mindset and dynamic presence in the market, demonstrating his continued growth and strong contribution to the team.
SANIBEL FIRE DISTRICT HOLDS EV PROGRAM
The Sanibel Fire and Rescue District presented a program, “Electrical Vehicle Safety 101,” on Jan. 15 at the Sanibel Recreation Center on Sanibel as part of the Thrive On Thursdays series.
The district reported that the informative class covered a range of topics, including electrical vehicle (EV) design, charging safety, potential hazards, and what to do in the event of an emergency.
It noted that as more electric vehicles become part of everyday life, it is critical that island residents have the knowledge needed to stay safe and prepared.
The district extended its thanks to the rec center for the opportunity.
Sanibel homeowners associations (HOAs) and condo associations that would like to schedule the presentation can contact the Sanibel Fire and Rescue District at 239-472-5525.
FORT MYERS EVENT TO SUPPORT SLOUGH
Point Ybel Brewery will host Brews for the Slough on Feb. 7 from noon to 6 p.m. in Fort Myers.
It will feature rock cover band PIT Tag performing, plus food trucks, craft beers and more.
There will be meet and greets with ambassador animals that inhabit the Sanibel Slough, educational lightning talks on the research and management of the slough, and interactive and family-friendly games that highlight the importance of the slough ecosystem and wildlife that it supports.
For every drink sold between 2-6 p.m., Point Ybel will donate $1 to support the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation’s wildlife research and habitat management of the slough.
The Point Ybel Brewery is at 16120 San Carlos Blvd., Fort Myers.
PARTICIPATE IN EVERGLADES ACTION DAY
The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation’s (SCCF) Environmental Policy Department is looking for community members passionate about Everglades restoration and improving local water quality to join it in attending Everglades Action Day 2026.
Everglades Action Day is an annual advocacy event in Tallahassee organized by the Everglades Coalition during Florida’s legislative session, which is running now through March 13.
On Feb. 17-28, participants will attend pre-scheduled meetings with senators and representatives to advocate for full Everglades funding, protection, restoration and supporting legislation. They will attend them as teams, led by team leaders from the SCCF and other partner organizations belonging to the coalition, such as the Tropical Audubon Society and Florida Oceanographic Society.
Registration is free, along with chartered east and west coast buses to the state capitol, with a local west coast pickup in Fort Myers. Personal costs for participants will include a one-night stay at the hotel in Tallahassee and meals throughout the overnight trip.
To register, https://sccf.org/2026/01/12/participate-in-everglades-action-day-feb-17-18/.
For more information, contact SCCF Policy Associate Allie Pecenka at apecenka@sccf.org.
Those unable to attend but who would like to support the mission can sponsor a student’s attendance. For more information, visit evergladescoalition.org/ead or email info@evergladescoalition.org.
SAN CAP BANK MAKES NEWSWEEK LIST
Sanibel Captiva Community Bank announced that it earned a place on the 2025 list of “America’s Best Regional Banks & Credit Unions” by Newsweek and the Plant-A Insights Group.
The distinction recognizes regional banks and credit unions that demonstrate exceptional financial health, operational strength and a strong record of customer satisfaction and community commitment.
Institutions included in the list are evaluated on criteria, including profitability, net loans and leases, credit quality, media coverage, and the results of a large-scale independent survey of more than 71,000 U.S. consumers along with millions of social media and app-store reviews.
Being named to the list places the bank among the top 500 regional banks and top 500 credit unions nationwide recognized for stability, integrity, and a customer- and a community-centric approach.
HM RESTAURANT SUPPORTS NONPROFIT
HM Restaurant Group, which manages Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille, the Dixie Fish Company and Bonita Fish Company, donated $7,725 to Captains For Clean Water in honor of Storm Smart.
The funds will support the nonprofit organization’s mission of raising awareness and driving change to improve Florida’s water quality.
The money was raised $1 at a time from the sale of its specialty Send it South cocktail in 2025. The program has raised a cumulative $11,072 since its introduction in April 2024.
The drink is available at its four Doc Ford’s restaurants and the Dixie Fish Company.