Catboat Regatta on Useppa Island

SAILING...SAILING...

Yes...today was the first day of the bi-annual Catboat Regatta on Useppa Island, hosted by the Useppa Island Yacht Club....where there are no dues...no rules.  You just have fun! And, if you have an idea or suggestion....YOU get to do it!!

Four races today...with 28 boats participating from as far away as New Jersey, only a couple of boats caught too much wind and went topsy-turvy!  Didn't catch that on camera but see some of the action, here....

                                             Coming up on the mark....

Rounding the mark....

                                                                                                               
                                 "Ferreting" things out....

Then, replenishing your energy at mid-day cookout!

                             Captured beautifully by Useppa Island artist
                                  Captain Charlie Chapin

Tomorrow, it's a Poker Run.  Race, again, on Saturday.  So, if you're on the water....come watch!!  You can find the action on the east side of Useppa, in Pine Island Sound!

Flood Insurance Update: Keeping Florida Home Owners Informed

This hot topic is changing from moment to moment.

Here's an important update for Useppa Island:

The bill was expected to come up today -- meaning it would need a two-thirds majority vote to pass. But members coming out of the GOP meeting yesterday morning said they did not think it had enough votes to clear that hurdle. GOP leaders are now refusing to run the bill through committee, and instead, are negotiating directly with the Democrats. Read the article

Prior Report from the Florida Association of Realtors

U.S. House releases its own flood insurance bill

WASHINGTON – Feb. 25, 2014 – Florida Gov. Rick Scott pressed for help in high places on flood insurance in a meeting with President Barack Obama on Monday, but the issue may be decided in the GOP-controlled U.S. House.

The issue has split some Republicans in coastal states like Florida from GOP hard-liners who say some folks need to pay significantly more to help the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) get out of $24 billion in debt and discourage building in flood-prone areas.

Congressional Democrats said there is no deal yet but one lawmaker said conversations with GOP leaders have been “productive.”

A new House version of a bill to address the problem could be considered as early as this week. It eliminates, not just delays, certain triggers for a huge, immediate jump in premiums, such as the sale of a home, a lapse in coverage or the remapping of flood zones. Read the report

READ ALL ABOUT IT!: Useppa Island Featured in March Issue of Gulfshore Life!

CHECK OUT THE MARCH ISSUE OF GULFSHORE LIFE!!

The fashion shoot photographed on Useppa is on pages 122-129 and the ad featuring four Useppa homes is on page 213.  So….go buy some copies!! Pass ‘em out!  And, LIKE US...and FOLLOW US  www.Facebook.com/PeopleOnUseppa!!    

Here is the ad.....

About Gulfshore Life Magazine:

Since 1970, Gulfshore Life magazine has captured the vibrant spirit, style and natural beauty of Southwest Florida’s Gulf Coast, from Fort Myers and Cape Coral down to Naples and Marco Island. The region has grown in recent years to become an international hotspot that attracts sophisticated, cosmopolitan residents and visitors from all over the globe. Our coverage of local personalities and pursuits, from arts and entertainment to fashion, real estate and the luxury lifestyle, helps these residents and visitors enjoy the best of the region. The magazine has earned numerous state and national awards for writing, design and publishing excellence—including recognition as Best Overall Magazine two years in a row from the Florida Magazine Association.

Deeply involved in the local community, Gulfshore Life is committed to highlighting and preserving the unique character and resources of our region, and partners with local charitable, cultural and business organizations in a variety of ways. From its Naples offices, Open Sky Media also publishes Gulfshore Life, Gulfshore Life At Home, Discover Southwest Florida Visitors’ Annual, the Naples Chamber of Commerce’s Naples on the Gulf visitors guide; NCH Healthcare System’s Naples Health and numerous other publications.

Useppa Island's Winter Weather Report: Warm & Sunny!

Useppa Island's Winter Weather Report: 78 degrees, winds at 10-12, gusting to 15 and everyone's on the water!!

Behind the Scenes with Gulfshore Life Magazine on Useppa Island

Gulfshore Life is on the newsstands....so we can now "show and tell" about the model.

Aksala, who moved from Russia to Miami to avoid the cold, came to Useppa to do Gulfshore Life's annual fashion shoot.  The wind was howling, the temp was 38 degrees and she wore...not much!

Between shots, the team did what they could to keep her warm

But you could, literally, see her shiver!!  This next shot was perhaps the coldest time of the day....winds whipping.

Looks like Spring, huh???