Cape Coral and Southwest Florida Feature Stories

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If you've ever flown into Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers, chances are you're familiar with the work of Alan Maltz, the Official Wildlife Photographer of the State of Florida. All of the stunning photographs displayed in the Midfield Terminal were taken by Mr. Maltz.  You know the ones...roseate spoonbills and ospreys amidst water reflections and backdrops of supernaturally lit skies.  As soon as you get off the plane, these photos remind you why you've come home to Southwest Florida again.  We live in one of the most beautiful places on Earth.

Read more: Thoughts Inspired by Visions of Beauty - Fort Myers, Sanibel and Beyond by Alan Maltz

The relationship between a business and the community it serves can often be complex.  But, when a business finds the right balance between providing a top notch product and giving back to the community which has given it so much — magic begins to happen.  A virtuous circle is put into motion where symbiotic and reciprocal relationships bloom between the business, its customers and the community at large, creating a daisy chain of mutually beneficial circumstances.  Socially responsible capitalism is exercised…creating profit, helping the less fortunate, growing the business and generating good karma — all simultaneously.  That’s when the rewards of true success begin to reveal themselves.

Read more: The Success Secrets of a Thriving Local Business - Mr. Shower Door of Florida

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Instructional Preface:  If you're going to read this, read the entire article - and remember, these descriptions of Sanibel are not actually occurring - this is a "what if" scenario. Sanibel's beaches are currently pristine and oil-free.

6/21/2010 Update - Oil and tar balls now appearing as far east as Panama City Beach in Florida

Today the first major evidence of the BP oil spill is washing up on the Sanibel Island shoreline. Thick, viscous, black, syrup coats the piles of shells at the high tide line. Sanibel's normal color pallet of summer-bleached white's, tans, and pastels remains hidden beneath slick obsidian sheen. The Gulf of Mexico waters are no longer shaded in tropical blues and greens. The water offshore is a murky stew, churning and seething; an ocean of ink excessively punctuated with bubbles of black mucous shining in rainbow iridescence each time the relentless Florida sun finds a break in the clouds.

Read more: What if the BP Oil Spill Hits Sanibel Island, Florida?

Hogfish (also called Hog Snapper) is a well-kept secret, the "Cadillac" of the local fresh-fish scene, a true South-Florida delicacy.  It is considered by many serious seafood aficionados to be one of the tastiest of all reef fish. 

Hogfish is highly-prized for its firm, alabaster flesh which flakes apart nicely.  The flavor is mild with subtle sweet undertones.  Although many purists would maintain it should only be prepared pan-seared with a little olive oil, salt and pepper, Hogfish is a very versatile fish and works well baked, grilled, marinated, or smothered in a tasty sauce.

Read more: Hogfish from Matlacha Pass