On your way to Pine Island you will see one of the most interesting and exciting things happening over the Pass in Matlacha. The long awaited new bridge is almost finished. The new bridge will offer two lanes for regular travel, plus a bike lane on either side. There will also be ample space for fishing off the "Fishingest Bridge" around.
After years of planning and speculation, the Matlacha Bridge will certainly bring lots of new visitors to this historic artists community. It is a fantastic time to invest in Real Estate before everyone else finds out!
For more information on the bridge completion go to www.matlachabridge.info

Pine Island Chamber of Commerce Card Exchange for August

Do not miss out on the Pine Island Business Card Exchange for August.  It will be held on  Thursday, August 16th 2012 at 6pm at Porpoise Point, 4561 Red Fish Rd,  Matlacha. Susan Burhoe and her Staff from Gulf Access Realty are looking forward to hosting the event.  Come down and enjoy great food, music and beverages. There will be drawings for door prizes and a raffle basket. The newest Chamber members will also be introduced and presented with a GPICC Member Plaque.

The business Card Exchange is a networking event for businesses, giving folks the opportunity to discuss and share ideas while learning about other local businesses. Bring plenty of business cards so you are prepared to network, meet potential new clients and make new friends.
 If you would like to bring a door prize to highlight your business , it would be greatly appreciated.

I look forward to seeing everyone on the 16^th and Don’t forget your business cards!

List of Public Boat Ramps in Lee County

Area boat ramps

Matlacha Park, 4577 Pine Island Road N.W., Matlacha

Burnt Store Boat Ramp, 230 Burnt Store Road, Cape Coral

Sanibel Island, 1159 Causeway Road

Punta Rassa, off McGregor Boulevard, just before the Sanibel Causeway

Cape Coral Yacht Club, 5819 Driftwood Parkway

Horton Park, end of Everest Parkway, Cape Coral

Lovers Key Recreation Area, 8700 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach

Fort Myers Beach/south Fort Myers, Carl Johnson Recreational Area, 24341 Estero Blvd.

Rosen Park, Southeast 15th Terrace and Southeast 24th Avenue

Fort Myers Centennial Park, 2000 W. First St., Fort Myers

Fort Myers Shores, 2227 Davis Blvd., Fort Myers

Franklin Locks, 1660 S. Franklin Lock Road, Fort Myers

Alva, 21580 Pearl St.

Imperial River, U.S. 41 at Imperial River

BMX Sports Complex, Southwest Seventh Court and Southwest 15th Street, Cape Coral

Bokeelia Boat Ramp, 7290 Barrancas Ave.

Pine Island Marina, 3187 Stringfellow Road, St. James City

Public use dockage

Dockage is day use and first come, first served

City of Fort Myers Myers Yacht Basin, 321-7080

Bowditch Point, 765-6794

Cape Coral In The News...Again

Wow, our city is once again receiving some of the highest rankings in the country. So what is all the big news?

After the nation-wide real estate debacle of previous years, the page has turned and now Cape Coral is getting continual top recognition from a wide variety of highly recognized media and organizations. At the end of last year, the National Association of Builders even rewarded Cape Coral the title of Most Improved Florida Housing Market. Whether its business, lifestyle, friendliness, real estate come back, growth, or retirement - Cape Coral ranks ahead of the crowd and as one of the top places to be.

Just in the last few months, Forbes placed Cape Coral on the top 200 list of Best Place for Business. Forbes also confirmed last year's Money Magazine's recognition of Cape Coral as one of the 25 Best Places to Retire in the nation. We even beat well known Florida cities like Fort Lauderdale and Miami and numerous other household names across the country. Considering that there are about 30,000 cities and municipalities around the country, it is not small news that we keep getting chosen as one of the best.

If you think that the Forbes reporters and researchers are biased, think again, because in 2012 Cape Coral also earned the honor of Best Mid-Sized Florida City for Job Growth from New Geography. Check out our website for our long history of top spot recognition. And the next time someone asks you why you opened your business here in Cape Coral, you can tell them about some of the advantages of our city as a natural fit for work and play!

I hope you have found this interesting.

This weekend's Events on PIne Island

Thursday, July 26

American Legion Post 136 – Gyro’s or Turkey, Bacon & Ranch Flat Bread. Wings & Egg Roll 5-7pm.Karaoke w/Carla & Wayne 6:30-9:30 pm

Bert’s Bar & Grill – Deb & The Dynamics 7:30pm

Bubba’s Roadhouse – Karaoke with Jimmy and Susie from 7:30pm - 11:30pm

Miceli’s Restaurant – Prime Ribs for 2 for $20 after 3 PM. Allen Small from 5 pm to 9pm

Nav-A-Gator – Presents Jim Morris from 6pm-9pm.

Tarpon Lodge – Presents Susie Hulcher from 6:30pm to 9pm. Susie's motto is "A Girl, A Guitar, and A Warped Imagination"! Her vocal range will astonish your senses as she offers an array of boomer-friendly tunes & original songs!

Friday, July 27

American Legion Post 136 – Burgers or Teriyaki Chicken 11:00am-2pm. Spaghetti & Meatballs 5-7pm. Clive Live 6:30-9:30pm. Country Fried Steak Dinner 5-7pm.

Bert’s Bar & Grill – Presents Yankee Jack from Key West at 7:30pm

Bubba’s Roadhouse – Presents Perry English from 7:30pm to close.

Lovegrove Gallery & Gardens - Offers a historical and ecological walking tour of Matlacha every Friday at 8 AM. $10 per person; complimentary coffee begins at 7 AM. Reservations are required during the summer months. Call the Gallery at 239-283-6453 for details and reservations.

Miceli’s Restaurant – Presents Redemption 6pm-10pm

Olde Fish House – Presents Daniel Cook 6pm-9pm

Tarpon Lodge – Presents Michael Anthony 6-8:30pm. Michael & his Spanish guitar have created quite a buzz with such elegant and sensual sounds. He strikes passion into listeners’ hearts, and everyone feels the “nuevo flamenco” flair ~ check him out! MYSTERY TASTING & MUSIC

Saturday, July 28

American Legion Post 136 – Meatball Subs 11:00am. Free Jukebox 5-9pm.

Bert’s Bar & Grill –Presents Scotty Bryan 7:30 pm.

Bubba’s Roadhouse – Presents Danny Beach 7:30pm to close.

Miceli’s Restaurant – Presenting Soapbox 6-10 pm.

Nav-A-Gator – Presenting Cheeky Monkey, 2-5 pm.

Sunday, July 29

American Legion Post 136 – Sloppy Joes 11am Till? Free Jukebox 5-9pm.

Bert’s Bar & Grill – Presents Yankee Jack from Key West at 2 pm

Miceli’s Restaurant – Presents Cathy Eagle from 12-3 pm. and Stringtown from 4-8 pm

Nav-A-Gator –Presents Paul Roush from 2-5 pm

Olde Fish House - Presents Rex Bongo and Friends 2-6 pm

Monday, July 30

American Legion Post 136 – Is serving $1 Tacos Day 11:30am to 1:30pm.

Bert’s Bar & Grill – Pizza night!! Large Pizza, 3 toppings for $9.99

^{Miceli’s Restaurant – Presents Ray Lorae 5-9 pm}

Tuesday, July 31

American Legion Post 136 – Is serving Fish, Shrimp or Chicken Tender Basket 11am-2pm.

Bert’s Bar & Grill – Presenting Man Down from 7:30-11pm

Miceli’s Restaurant– Presenting Island Mike Karaoke 5-9 p.m.

Tarpon Lodge – Presents David Sarchet from 6:30-9 p.m. You can count on the most soothing, instrumental music with Michael David on solo guitar! Your cares just seem to sail away as you relax to his appealing sounds. This is the place to be!

Wednesday, August 1

Bubba’s Roadhouse – Presents Daniel Cook from 7:30pm to close.

Miceli’s Restaurant- BBQ Baby Back Ribs, 2 full racks, for 2 for $20 after 3 PM.

Olde Fish House - Presents Ramblin Rose from 5:30-9:00 PM

Summer Specials:

Four Winds Marina - Boat rentals: Enjoy fishing in Pine Island Sound, Cayo Costa beaches and cheeseburgers in Paradise. Call 239-283-0250.

Matlacha Hookers – The Matlacha Hookers School Drive Fundraiser has been extended until August 2^nd. Some items needed for the students are backpacks (no wheels) pencil boxes, scissors, #2 pencils, colored pencils, composition book, yellow highlighters and three-ring binders. A complete listing of items requested can be obtained at Traders Hitching Post. For monetary donations please call Karen McKee at 239-218-2123 or Cindy Tolliver at 239-283-4040. Some of the drop off locations includes Traders Hitching Post, Lilly’s Deli, Matlacha Post Office, Sandy Hook Restaurant, PI Community Church, Capital Bank, Pine Island Library, Elks, Waterfront Restaurant, Winn Dixie and Stonegate

Residents pack workshop for Pine Island expansion - cape-coral-daily-breeze.com | News, sports, community info. - Cape Coral Daily Breeze

Residents pack workshop for Pine Island expansion - cape-coral-daily-breeze.com | News, sports, community info. - Cape Coral Daily Breeze

Happenings on Pine Island - July 13th weekend

PINE ISLAND MEMBER “HAPPENINGSThursday, July 12


Bert’s Bar & Grill – Presenting Deb & the Dynamics, 7:30 PM.

Bubba’s Roadhouse – Karaoke 7:30 – 11:30 PM.

Miceli’s Restaurant – Prime Ribs for 2 for $20 after 3 PM. Presenting Alan Small, 5-9 PM.

Tarpon Lodge – Presenting Susie Hulcher—guitar/vocals, 6:30-8:30 PM.



Friday, July 13

American Legion Post 136 – Presenting Small Town Band, 6:30-9:30 PM.

Bert’s Bar & Grill – Calypso Magic, 5 PM. Mike Imbasciani, 7:30 PM.

Bubba’s Roadhouse – Presenting George F, 7:30-11:30 PM.

Lovegrove Gallery & Gardens - Offers a historical and ecological walking tour of Matlacha every Friday at 8 AM. $10 per person; complimentary coffee begins at 7 AM. Reservations are required during the summer months. Call the gallery at 239-283-6453 for details and reservations.

Miceli’s Restaurant – Presenting Ground Zero, 6-10 PM.

Olde Fish House – Kip Lawrence Recording Live CD, 6-9 PM.

Tarpon Lodge – Presenting Michael Anthony--Spanish guitar, 6-8:30 PM.



Saturday, July 14

American Legion Post 136 – Meatball Subs, 11 AM. Free Jukebox, 5-9 PM.

Bert’s Bar & Grill – Presenting Gary & Kerri, 7:30 PM.

Bubba’s Roadhouse – Presenting Perry English, 7:30-11:30 PM.

Miceli’s Restaurant – Presenting Blue Eyed Devil, 6-10 PM.

Nav-A-Gator – Presenting Sam Rainwater, 2-5 PM.



Sunday, July 15

American Legion Post 136 – Sloppy Joes, 11 AM. Free Jukebox, 5-9 PM.

Bert’s Bar & Grill – Presenting Cindy & Marshall, 2 PM.

Miceli’s Restaurant – Presenting Cathy Eagle, 12-3 PM; Stringtown, 4-8 PM.

Nav-A-Gator – Presenting Capt. Josh, 2-5 PM.

Olde Fish House – Presenting Gator Moon, 2-5 PM; and Daniel Cook, 6:30-8:30 PM.



Monday, July 16

American Legion Post 136 - $1 Tacos Day, 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM.

Miceli’s Restaurant – Presenting Ray Lorae, 5:30 – 8:30 PM.

Tuesday, July 17

American Legion Post 136 – Fish, Shrimp or Chicken Tender Basket, 11 AM-2 PM.

Miceli’s Restaurant– Presenting Island Mike Karaoke, 5-9 PM.

Tarpon Lodge – Presenting Michael David—guitar, 6:30-9 PM.



Wednesday, July 18

American Legion Post 136 – Roast Beef Aujus Subs, 11 AM – 2 M.

Bubba’s Roadhouse – Presenting Perry English, 7:30-11:30 PM.

Miceli’s Restaurant- BBQ Baby Back Ribs, 2 full racks, for 2 for $20 after 3 PM.



Summer Specials:

Ad&PrintCraft of SW Florida - Click on the listing below and see updated News on Pine Island/Matlacha

Published by: Ad&PrintCraft of SW Florida - A Proud Member of the Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce & Your source for Commercial Printing & Website Design

Call for your next job and save money, time and receive a Quality job that represents the high standards of your company and services.

Check out the Monthly Specials for Chamber Members.

www.Ad&PrintCraft.com

Email: Marketing@AdandPrintCraft.com

Email:editor@PineIslandNews.com

http://pineislandnews.com/Pine_Island_News_Blog/content/crowning-royalty-pine-island

Island Décor -Summer Locals Appreciation Day!!!! Every Wednesday starting May 30...and all summer long, Every Wednesday. We will celebrate Locals Day. This is our way of saying "Thank You," hank you for bringing your guests and visitors all season long. Thank you for supporting us, one of your local businesses. Just show us an ID with Pine Island, Matlacha, Cape Coral, Punta Gorda and Ft. Myers address. Come in and POP your way to Savings every Wednesday! Balloons with savings discounts from 10 % to 50% will be found. So come in and Pop to Save!!! We are 4,000 sq. ft. of Nautical & Tropical everything...new lines and products come in every month. We just received Salt-Life shirts , Ladies Capri's and hats and a great line of Tiki Hut products.

Four Winds Marina - Boat rentals: Enjoy fishing in Pine Island Sound, Cayo Costa beaches and cheeseburgers in Paradise. Call 239-283-0250.

Nav-a-Gator – Come in for great gift ideas for that special couple getting married. The Nav-A-Gator offers gift certificates that can be used for the restaurant, boat tours, gift shop and more. Call 941-627-3474 for more information.

Matlacha Hookers – Annual school supply drive. For more information call Karen McKee 218-2123 or Cindee Tolliver 283-4040

Short Sale Update- Banks Are Working with to Help with Jr. Liens

Based on the Department of Justice settlement, effective June 1, Bank of America is extending additional support to homeowners in agreeing to enhanced 2nd lien deficiency waiver guidelines.


Once you have determined if your homeowner may qualify for this waiver, contact your short sale specialist for establishing the amount to request for the 2nd lien.

Basic qualifications:

• Short sales initiated on or after June 1, 2012

• The 2nd lien must be attached to a 1st lien mortgage owned by Bank of America, Ally Bank, Chase, Citibank or Wells Fargo

Sales of single-family homes decline, median price rises in Greater Fort Myers and Beach - cape-coral-daily-breeze.com | News, sports, community info. - Cape Coral Daily Breeze

Sales of single-family homes decline, median price rises in Greater Fort Myers and Beach - cape-coral-daily-breeze.com | News, sports, community info. - Cape Coral Daily Breeze

When you are feeling curious

Anytime you want to see what is happening out on the Matlacha Pass waterway, all you have to do is log into  my website at http://www.gulfaccessrealty.com/ and click on the webcam, and watch what is happening! It is a beautiful warm breezy day.

PINE ISLAND “HAPPENINGS” THIS WEEKEND

Tarpon Lodge presents live music with Dave Lapio, 6:30 – 9pm. Pineland. Reservations recommended for dinner. Monday – Thursday enjoy music by Kip Lawrence from noon until 4 pm.


American Legion Post 136 presents karaoke with Sandy and Dave, 6 – 10 pm. St. James City


Bert’s Bar & Grill presents Deb & The Dynamics, 7:30 pm. Matlacha


Bubba’s Roadhouse & Saloon presents karaoke with Jimmy and Susie, 8 – 11 pm, Pine Island Road.


FRIDAY, MAR 30 –


American Legion Post 136 – “Clive Live” will be performing from 6:30 – 9:30 pm, with his “Jamaica Night Special.” Full dinner menu available. St. James City


Bert’s Bar & Grill presents Bobby Hubcap at 7:30 pm. Matlacha


Bokeelia Cracker Café features the music of Tim Grobe (SAGE), Chris Young (Animal), and Kevin Colt (Scrap Iron) from 6 – 9 pm. Bokeelia


Bubba’s Roadhouse features music by Daniel Cook. Pine Island Road.


Ladies of the Elks are holding a bake and rummage sale, at the Elks Lodge near Pine Island Center.


Lovegrove Gallery & Gardens offers an historical and ecological walking tour of Matlacha every Friday and Tuesday morning. 9 am. Groups or individual walk-ups welcome. Call the gallery at 239-283-6453 for details and reservations. $10 per person; complimentary coffee beginning at 8 am.


Tarpon Lodge – Mystery tasting with music by Michael Anthony, 6 – 8:30 pm. Pineland. Reservations recommended for dinner.


Calusa Ghost Tours offers adventures, tours, demonstrations and stories throughout Lee County with its main office on Pine Island and locations in Bonita Springs and Ft Myers Beach. Our Snook Cowboy Fishing Club is also based out of Pine Island and Snook Cowboy offers fishing adventures all around Pine Island. Take this link to check out one of the fishing club videos. shttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IEploJEFk8 . You can fish once a week somewhere around Pine Island with the Cowboy. Contact info 239-938-5342 or calusaghosttours@comcast.net


SATURDAY, MAR 31 –


American Legion Post 136 will be serving seafood chowder starting at 11 am until it’s gone. The “Farewell Snowbirds Party” with pulled pork/beans/slaw from 5 – 7 pm, with music by Mike & KC from 6:30 – 9:30 pm.


Bert’s Bar & Grill presents music by The New Vinyls at 7:30 pm. Matlacha


Bobby Holloway Memorial Fishing Tournament will take place at the Lee County Fishermen’s Co-op, on Maria Drive, with a shot-gun start at 7:30 am. Adult and child anglers will compete for a variety of prizes. Young anglers between the ages of 7 and 13 will have the opportunity to fish at no cost with a charter boat captain. Following the weigh in, there will be a fish fry, raffles, and more. Event proceeds go to scholarships for island students. To register contact Ernestine at 281-8225. www.hollowaytourney.org .


Matlacha Hookers will hold their annual “Bag N Tag” sale and Pancake Breakfast, starting at 8 am, at the Pine Island Moose Lodge. $ breakfast available until 11 am; Bag N Tag Sale runs until 2 pm. For just $5 for a paper grocery bag, shop the clothing (kids, ladies, men) section and fill the bag for this 1 low cost. Other items, appliances, tools, household items available at “negotiate” prices. Proceeds go to the Matlacha Hookers Scholarship Fund. Stringfellow Road, St. James City


St. James City Civic Association will have their “Spring Festival” with breakfast and flea market, starting at 8 am. St. James City – Lemon St & 4th Ave.


Bokeelia Cracker Café features the music of Tim Grobe (SAGE), Chris Young (Animal), and Kevin Colt (Scrap Iron) from 6 – 9 pm. Bokeelia


Bubba’s Roadhouse & Saloon will feature music by Perry English, Pine Island Road

Nav-A-Gator Grill presents music by Jerry Diaz, 2 – 5 pm. Lake Suzy (Port Charlotte)


SUNDAY, APR 1 –


American Legion Post 136 will hold their patio party from 1 – 4 pm., with music. Come enjoy one of “Doc’s” famous burgers. St. James City


Bert’s Bar and Seven Seas Bait & Tackle will hold the 13th annual “Manatee Roast” starting at 2 pm. Cost is $6 per plate, and proceeds will go to island student Skyler Hammer for his “People to People” ambassador trip this summer. Matlacha.


Bokeelia Cracker Café presents Second Chance, Chris & Tim, starting at 6 pm. Bokeelia

Pine Island

And another great thing about Pine Island is the library. Wednesday evenings they are open until 8pm. I stopped in there last night. The place was full. All the computers were occupied with young folks, to the oldest. People checking in and out. Very pleasant environment, and they are so helpful. Lots of books, videos, all kinds of stuff! And the Lee County library system sends everything around. So if it is not in one library they send it over. Super great!

New Short Sale Tax Ramifications

You may owe federal income taxes in 2013 if you have a short sale, foreclosure
WASHINGTON – Jan. 9, 2012 – You may owe federal income taxes in 2013 if you have a short sale, foreclosure after this year. Now is the time to make the hard decision: Are you going to walk away from your underwater home?Uncle Sam is still giving homeowners until Dec. 31, 2012, to go through a short sale or foreclosure without tax consequences – as long as the lender officially releases the debt.But on Jan. 1, 2013, the rules change: The amount a lender forgives, ether in a short sale or foreclosure, on a primary residence will be taxable on federal income taxes.So if a house sold $50,000 short of what is owed on the mortgage, then the selling homeowners will owe federal income taxes on that $50,000. Homeowners would owe $12,500 if they’re in the 25 percent bracket; $7,500 if in the 15 percent tax section.Homeowners would be on the hook even if the house sold but the bank had not formally forgiven the loan in a letter: The banks must officially sign off in writing before Dec. 31.“It’s a huge issue – it will be a shock to many taxpayers after 2012,” said Mark Steber, the Florida-based chief tax officer for Jackson Hewitt Tax Service.The law first came into affect five years ago as the housing market went bust nationwide.The Mortgage Debt Relief Act of 2007 “generally allows taxpayers to exclude income from the discharge of debt on their principal residence,” according to the Internal Revenue Service. “Debt reduced through mortgage restructuring, as well as mortgage debt forgiven in connection with a foreclosure, qualifies for the relief.”Up to $2 million of forgiven debt can be forgiven this year, $1 million if married and filing separately, according to the IRS.Homeowners declaring bankruptcy could escape paying income taxes on any cancellation of debt income if the debt is forgiven in the bankruptcy even if the debtor is solvent, said Nick Jovanovich, a board-certified tax attorney in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.“Bankruptcy trumps everything,” he said.Or homeowners might not have to pay income taxes on any cancellation of debt income to the extent that they are insolvent immediately before the cancellation – that is, their debts exceed the value of their assets, Jovanovich added.Steber and Jovanovich said homeowners should decide now what they are going to do – to give themselves time.Short sales can take a long time, said Timothy Singer of Coldwell Banker in Fort Lauderdale.He said he knows of one that had been pending for three years.But lenders “have been gearing up” and speeding up the process, Singer added.But even if banks quickly approve a short sale, the would-be buyer may get cold feet and the deal fall through, Singer said.Then the sellers have to begin again, he said.Copyright © 2012 the Sun Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), Donna Gehrke-White. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune News Service.