Fun, Food and Friends: Sounds Like a Night Out at Kitchen Social

Are you tired of the same old dinner menu? Are you hoping to hone your kitchen skills? Are you looking for something fun but worthwhile to do? Then Kitchen Social in Fort Myers is in order. Read More »

Island-Chic Dining at Cielo: Restaurant Has New Look Along With Legendary Food, Service

“There’s nothing else like it on Sanibel Island.” That’s how Cielo’s general manager, Marcus Preece, describes his restaurant’s new look, combined with its legendary food and service. Read More »

SWFL Journal (November/December 2020)

A journal from the perspective of Southwest Florida. Read More »

‘Me Time’ at Sanibel Day Spa: Escape, Relax and Restore in a Perfect Tranquil Setting

If you are looking for ways to unwind and reconnect with yourself—look no further! Sanibel Day Spa offers the perfect tranquil setting for guests to relax and get into the vacation mindset. Read More »

What’s Hot in Southwest Florida (November/December 2020)

Learn more about the hottest items - travel gadgets, coffee, food paint, and more - for sale in Southwest Florida! Read More »

Love Affair: The Ecstasy of Ennio Morricone’s Music

When composer Ennio Morricone passed away this past July at the age 91, he left a world immeasurably enriched by his musical legacy. Thanks in large measure to a prodigious catalog of some 400 film scores, his music has reached the ears of millions and has been championed by an array of musicians from Joan Baez to Yo-Yo Ma. Read More »

STAY LOCAL: Let’s Go See and Do and Taste the Things Our Visitors Dream of Doing

It’s funny how we rarely do the things our own hometown is famous for. Fort Myers residents can go years without visiting the fascinating Edison and Ford Winter Estates, knowing they’ll get to it one day because it’s “right there.” Likewise, Sanibel Islanders rarely go shelling. Many Southwest Florida residents don’t even take the time or energy to go to the beach, stick an umbrella in the sand and enjoy the sound of the sea. Read More »

Blanket Diplomacy: Hobby Turns Into An International Act of Kindness

Stella Warschauer would like to change the world, one baby blanket at a time. At 91, Stella has spent a few years crocheting the blankets for friends and family, but now she has a loftier goal: to distribute at least one of her blankets to every country in the world as an international display of American kindness. Read More »

On the Water Is the Place to Be: Captiva Cruises Offers Great Excursions for Rest and Rejuvenation

This past summer, the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation and boating industry’s Discover Boating brand launched their joint “Get On Board” campaign. The aim is to raise awareness about the mental health and wellness benefits of boating—including freedom, safety and escapism. Read More »

Popular Papayas: Simple Tips for Growing, Harvesting and Enjoying the Tasty Fruit

Papayas are one of the easiest and most rewarding fruits to grow in Southwest Florida. All you need is a sunny spot with irrigation and good drainage. The following are some simple tips for growing, harvesting and using your very own papayas at home! Read More »

Festive Yuletide Libations: There’s More to the Holiday Bar than Eggnog

Holiday gatherings might look a little different this year, but the festivities will continue and the spirits will still flow. Most people have a favorite adult beverage or perhaps a traditional holiday cocktail. This is a perfect time of year, however, to try something new. Read More »

On the Road Again: Tips for Traveling With Your Pet

With the holidays here, it’s time to hit the road again to see Grandma in Georgia, Aunt Tina in Tennessee or Cousin Carl in Cincinnati. Many pet owners arrange in-home pet sitting or boarding, and other owners take their pets along for the ride. Read More »

Marking a Milestone: Celebrating Past Successes and Hopes for the Future

During our 25 years, we feel very blessed to have found great professional people to consistently be a part of creating high-quality magazines for TOTI Media. Everyone who currently works for TOTI Media, or who has worked for TOTI Media in the past, can be proud of what we have accomplished over this quarter-century. Read More »

Champions of Nature: Defending Southwest Florida’s land, water, wildlife and future

Joanna Fitzgerald and Kathy Worley have a couple things in common. They are both passionate advocates for preserving Southwest Florida’s environment. And they have each been doing it for 25 years at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. Read More »

Shell Point’s Newest Neighborhood: The Enclave Welcomes Its First Residents

The first phase of construction on the Enclave, Shell Point Retirement Community’s latest neighborhood, is complete, and several residents have already begun moving into the community. Read More »

Rejuvenating Body and Soul: Book the Perfect Pampering at The Spa at ’Tween Waters

The Spa at ’Tween Waters on Captiva Island offers guests the opportunity to create the vacation experience they have been dreaming about. “Relaxation and well-being are at the heart of every vacation,” says The Spa’s owner and operator, Georgie Pailes, “and we cherish our role as the place to come and make that happen.” Read More »

Island Restaurateurs Step Up During Pandemic: Community is a Priority for Family-Run Local Eatery

Sanibel Island is a treasured destination for visitors and locals alike, long known for its beautiful beaches and idyllic setting. For me and my husband, Brian, it’s also our point of pride—the place where we have established our roots, grown our family and built our restaurant, The Island Cow. Read More »

Rediscovering Americana: Pandemic Keeps Global Travelers Closer To Home

Edgar Burton and Roy Gibson have definitely caught the travel bug. The Sanibel residents have spent the past 29 years together wandering the world. From bungee jumping in New Zealand and riding a hot-air balloon in Kenya to climbing Machu Picchu in Peru... Read More »

Advice for the Wise Holiday Shopper: Altruism—The “True-For-All” Very Best Gift Ever

Our Gulf Coast islands are a destination—especially during the holidays. Families and friends who come to celebrate with each other bring their own to-do lists. Different as schedules may be, there are two activities every list has in common. Read More »

What’s for Dinner? Recipe Keeper—Memories of Meals Shared Years Ago

Growing up in South Africa exposed us to a cosmopolitan array of food cultures. Nothing was off the table—from exotic European fare to local tribal dishes. We spent much of our early years sitting in the garden with our nanny and the other African staff, sharing their meals of putu pap... Read More »

A New Face on an Old Favorite: Mainstay Replaces Barnacles on North Captiva

A little of the old, a little bit of the new—I have said before and I’ll say it again, “The beauty of the islands is that they are always changing.” In this case, it’s an iconic restaurant formerly known as Barnacles, now called Mainstay North Captiva. Read More »

Recipes We Love - See What’s Cooking in SWFL (November/December 2020)

Delicious recipes (Butternut Squash Soup, Chocolate Cake, and Pickled Chanterelle Mushrooms ...oh my!) from a variety of distinguished restaurants in the SWFL area. Read More »

Making Holidays Happier: Local Communities Give Back

Organizations such as Bonita Springs Assistance Office, Cape Coral Animal Shelter, FISH of SANCAP, and more are giving back to the community. Read More »

The Daintiest of Egrets: The Snowy Egret Survived The Plume Trade But Is Still Imperiled

The snowy egret (Egretta thula) is distinguished by its beautiful white plumage, with vivid yellow and black details. It has yellow lores, a black bill and black legs with bright yellow feet. Its appearance is even more striking when sporting its breeding plumage of long feathery plumes on its back and throat. Read More »

The Florida Muck: A Gonzo Look at the Sunshine State

Could there be a place more conducive to the gonzo-style journalism of the late Hunter S. Thompson than Florida? Somehow, Thompson himself never fully embraced the Sunshine State, but, fortunately, Kent Russell has picked up the ball with his recently published book, In the Land of Good Living. Read More »

Ease Stress When Taking Children on Trips: Helpful Hints for Families Heading Out for the Holidays

As the classic poem—and later, song—says, “Over the river and through the wood to grandfather’s house we go.” While the lyrics sound merry, in reality a long car trip can be anything but. Let’s face it; the little ones get incredibly bored. However, there are ways to make a lengthy excursion a little more fun for all. Read More »

Beauty Column - The Must-Haves of Beauty Products (November & December 2020)

Are you a lipstick lover or face-cream fanatic? Then you’re in the right place. Every issue, we give you the lowdown on fabulous fragrances, luxurious lotions, must-have makeup and everything in between. Read More »

The Power of Breath: How Controlled Breathing Techniques Can Improve Overall Health

Hof’s achievements are leading to new discoveries showing that the autonomic nervous system and innate immune response can be influenced by human will—something that was previously unseen in science. Read More »

Crossword Puzzle for November/December 2020

Try your hand at this issue's crossword puzzle! Read More »