Life In Bonita Springs

Spring Run | The Brooks | Egret Floor Plan

Look at this combo - a highly MOTIVATED seller & a priced right condo in Spring Run!  Take a look at this lakefront condo with golf membership located in Hidden Lakes at Spring Run. This condominium home has been upgraded and updated.   Two Bedroom+Den and a one car garage at the value price of $250,000.  Sunshine ML 208002998

Features of this Egret condo include:

• Bamboo wood floors
• Extensive crown molding
• New granite counter tops
• Tumbled marble accents
• Warm wood cabinetry
• Stainless appliances
• Unique stainless steel dual sinks in the master bath.
• Top of the line everything!

The Spring Run community offers tennis, country club and dining, bundled golf membership and gated security. The Brooks offers an optional membership to The Commons Club of The Brooks which offers a fitness center, dining, spa services and a private beach club membership.

Home prices in the Brooks range from about $250,000's to over $3,000,000. This condominium is located just minutes to SW Florida white sand beaches, Miromar Outlets, Florida Gulf Coast State University and the new SW Florida International Airport. Be sure to look at the additional photos, floor plan.

Spring Run at the Brooks is just walking or biking distance from the new Coconut Point Mall.  Building is underway at the The Brooks Town Center bringing in shops and a Sweet Bay Grocery Store for handy shopping for Spring Run residents.

To learn more about the community also read:  Spring Run at The Brooks - Bonita Springs, Florida

To learn more about the Commons Club also read:  The Commons Club, Town Center & Enrichment Center at the Brooks

Call Chris Griffith today for further information at 239-273-7430

Enrichment Center | The Commons Club at The Brooks

The Commons Club at The Brooks is an educational, recreational and cultural amenity center in the heart of The Brooks of Bonita Springs. The Commons Club is an optional membership.

The Commons Club at the Brooks offers access to The Beach Club, 10,000 sq. ft. Fitness & Spa, Rosie Spoonbill's Restaurant, The Enrichment Center and Social Activities.

Residents of The Brooks of Bonita Springs which includes the communities of Copperleaf, Lighthouse Bay, Spring Run and Shadow Wood are able to choose from three levels of membership:

• Gold Membership - Use of the beach pavilion, health & fitness center, dining facilities, social activities and Community Enrichment Center.
• Silver Membership - Use of the health & fitness center, dining facilities, social activities and Community Enrichment Center.
• Bronze Membership - dining facilities, social activities and Community Enrichment Center.

Non-Residents of The Brooks are able to choose from three levels of membership:

• Fitness Single - Use of the health & fitness center, dining facilities, social activities and Community Enrichment Center.
• Fitness Family - Use of the health & fitness center, dining facilities, social activities and Community Enrichment Center.
• Rosie Spoonbill's - Use of the dining facilities, social activities, and Community Enrichment Center.

Current membership pricing is available upon request or by calling The Commons Club is located at:

9930 Coconut Road

Bonita Springs, Fl 34134

Phone: 239-949-3800

Fax: 239-948-4901

*The Commons Club Membership and membership pricing is subject to change without notice. Pricing and availability is not guaranteed.

Too Old For This Crap 

My morning started bright and early...again. I am staying on schedule for the big Naples half marathon tomorrow.  I plugged in my iPod so I could sync it with Nike+ and got this announcement:  Congratulations, You've Run 500 Miles on this iPod!  500!  I AM SPARTA?!!  This revelation was followed by my little buddy, running partner and Keller Williams associate, Carey Birch texting me announcing his anxiousness to get it over  and a photo of his breakfast.  It's a license to eat at this point, right? 

We've trained really hard, but I will admit right now that I just want to finish and I will be using every minute of the three hours permitted to complete it.  I do not think I will be an Accidental Champion on this run.  It's really an effort to run these distances and I tip my hat to the local running clubs DDD and Fort Myers Track Club.  They're out there doing it every single day and they're the first over the line at every one of these races.  I will again state that I believe they are all cyborgs.

After this race, our next race after this will be a measly 5K at the Coconut Point Mall. Read also:  Susan G Komen Race for the Cure | Coconut Point Mall 5K (if you're looking for a group to train or run with we want you to join us)

Thank you to all my friends supporters who kindly encourage me and drink wine for me during this period of absolutely nothing but running and eating well.   I can hardly wait to toast at dinner on Sunday night with my knees on ice.

2008 RESULTS HERE

The mean streets of Bonita Springs are safe now, but... 

Will the weekend flock of children arrive to free the encarcerated beasts one quarter at a time?

You're looking at the worst of the worst the city has to offer, ladies and gentlemen. 

Watch the Water or Pay the Piper, Bonita Springs 

It's been a dry weather year in the Bonita Springs area and with months to go before our rainy season starts we enter mandatory water restrictions.  What does this mean for you?  You need to turn it off.  Conserve water both inside and outside of your Bonita Springs home.   

 A running toilet or a dripping faucet can waste hundreds of dollars per year.    To test your toilet to see if it is running, add a few drops of food dye to the tank on the back.  If colored water runs into the bowl you may need a toilet tune up.  Don't worry, replacing the inside parts will be far less expensive than the water leaking down the drain pennies at a time.

As of January 15 water restrictions are in place.  Bonita Springs and Estero residents will be allowed to water only one day a week.  Set your landscape sprinklers according to the schedule below

For properties smaller than 5 acres, if your address ends in:

• 1 or 2, water on Mondays from 4 to 8 a.m. OR from 4 to 8 p.m.
• 3 or 4, water on Wednesdays from 4 to 8 a.m. OR from 4 to 8 p.m.
• 5 or 6, or if the irrigation system waters multiple addresses, water on Thursdays from 4 to 8 a.m. OR from 4 to 8 p.m.
• 7 or 8, water on Saturdays from 4 to 8 a.m. OR from 4 to 8 p.m.
• 9 or 0, water on Sundays from 4 to 8 a.m. OR from 4 to 8 p.m.

For properties more than five acres, if your address ends in:

• 1 or 2, water on Mondays from midnight to 8 a.m. OR from 4 to 11:59 p.m.
• 3 or 4, water on Wednesdays from midnight to 8 a.m. OR from 4 to 11:59 p.m.
• 5 or 6, without a numbered street address, or if the irrigation system waters multiple addresses, water on Thursdays from 12 to 8 a.m. OR from 4 to 11:59 p.m.
• 7 or 8, water on Saturdays from midnight to 8 a.m. OR from 4 to 11:59 p.m.
• 9 or 0, water on Sundays from midnight to 8 a.m. OR from 4 to 11:59 p.m.

Penalties

• In unincorporated Lee County: $25 for a first offense, $100 for a second, and up to $500 and/or 60 days in jail for a third or more.

REPORT VIOLATIONS

If you suspect a watering violation call:

• Unincorporated Lee County: 274-2547
• Bonita Springs: 477-1234

If you're interested in the full list of city water restrictions read also:  Water Restrictions, Penalties

Bonita Beach, Barefoot Beach and Barefoot Preserve 

Bonita Beach is located in SW Florida in the city of Bonita Springs, Florida.  Bonita Beach is accessible via Bonita Beach Road and is only a few miles from I-75 and Alligator Alley.  Flying in is easy due to the expansion of Southwest Florida International Airport.  The airport is located only minutes to Bonita Springs, Estero and the gulf beaches. 

Activities at Bonita Beach include:

• Jet-Ski rentals
• Paddle boat/bike rentals.
• Volleyball
• Dining
• Kayak rentals

Beachfront real estate is located along Hickory Boulevard and Barefoot Beach Boulevard.  Barefoot Beach is a semi-private gated community with both gulf and bayfront homes.  The gulf side homes on Hickory Blvd all have gulf views.  The homes are intermixed with condominiums and private beach clubs.

The Southwest Florida area, especially Bonita Springs, has quickly grown and now hosts world class dining at restaurants such as Roys, Flemmings, Blue Water and Ruth's Chris Steakhouse.

In addition, several fine resorts and hotels with established convention facilities are ready and waiting for you to come and enjoy.  The Hyatt Coconut Point offers a resort style community with spa facilities, private beach island and a host of activities for vacationers and business guests.  The Hyatt Hotel is located at the merging of Bonita Springs and Estero, Florida on Estero Bay.  Panoramic views of the bay, mangrove and golf course envelope the hotel.

The latest addition to the Bonita Springs and Estero area scene is the Coconut Point Mall.  Now complete, the mall boasts 100's of retailers, dining establishments, boutique shoppes and department stores.  The complete tenant list and mall site plan can be found at http://www.coconutpointretail.com/ .  This mall is unique and it boasts mixed use with condominium residences on site.

Comevisit Bonita Springs.  It's worth the trip! You'll find plenty to do, plenty to see and go home with a tan!

Tropical Tails is the most anticipated pet event in South Florida for 2008.

The event is Saturday, February 23, 2008.

Coconut Point Town Center, Estero, FL 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.

ESTERO, FLORIDA- 'Tropical Tails' is the celebration of animals in Lee and Collier Counties. This includes promoting animal shelters, rescue groups, products and services for animals such as dogs, cats, birds, fish, turtles, rabbits & horses.

Bring your family, friends, and leashed dogs to enjoy the following: music, dog 'Woof Walk', and many contests. Enjoy the Jimmy Buffet-style tropical fashion contest for leashed dogs (hint: humans wearing tropical attire a bonus,) Cat (bring photo) photo contest, and Horse (bring photo) photo contest. Tour educational vehicles such as spay & neuter van, animal control vehicles, fire & rescue vehicles, and county emergency vehicles. Highlights include animals for adoption, wildlife education, D.A.R.T. (Disaster Animal Rescue Team), Pet Therapy and Dog Agility program information.

Free admission to the public. Tropical Tails event will be held around the beautiful lake in the north section of Coconut Point Town Center. Entrants for dog fashion walk, cat photo contest, and horse photo contest are FREE and pre-registration not required. Contest times TBD. Amazing raffles and contest prizes!

Tropical Tails proudly benefits six organizations each year. In 2008 the animal non-profit organizations are: Animal Welfare League of Port Charlotte, Brooke's Legacy Animal Rescue, Collier County Domestic Animal Services Trust Fund, Gulf Coast Humane Society, The Humane Society Naples, and Lee County Animal Services Animal Care Trust Fund.

Sponsors, prizes, raffle donations, volunteers and vendors welcome.

Event hosted by Naples Dog Magazine, Inc.

For further information: Ericka Basile (239) 293-1552, email: Ericka@naplesdog.com.

Luna Pizza at Miromar Outlet

Who doesn't want to know where to get the best slice in town? Anywhere you go, you want to know....at least I do.

Well, I've saved everyone in Bonita Springs and Estero the bother wading through bad pizza. Luna Pizza in Estero is the BEST in Estero. Period. It's over 10 miles from my home and I make trip past a dozen other pizza joints just to pick it up. They offer pizza by the slice or whole pie.

My favorite pizza at Luna Pizza is their version of a Martguerita pizza - Fresh tomato, fresh mozzarella - fresh basil. I tried to sneak in last night just minutes before it closed and missed it, but took home a slice of white cheese and spinach and a whole plain cheese to go. (which means I don't have to cook today)

When's the last time you had a great piece of pizza?

If you are in Bonita Springs, Estero or South Fort Myers head to Miromar Outlets and treat yourself to Luna Pizza. It's located at the end of Miromar Outlets that is closest to Corkscrew Road and the International Design Center. If you're in Stoneybrook or Grandezza, it's just across the street.

This local post was brought to you by Chris Griffith -  If you would like to dispute the findings that Luna is the best pizza in Estero, Florida you can send your competing entry (large cheese) to my office. My panels of judges is waiting.

Incredible Deals in Florencia at The Colony | Bonita Springs

Florencia tower has slashed pricing. The word is starting to out. I've had a few buyers from up north even call.

Today, I stopped by The Colony Sales Center to pick up the latest pricing from WCI and The Tower Division. Fantastic! WCI means to sell off their standing inventory and they mean business. Residences in the Florencia building start at:

January 10, 2008, this data is expired and these properties will be unavailable by May 2008.

• $395,000 for an 04 Stack on the second floor.
• $445,000 for lobby level condo - end unit.
• There's a great deal on a Unit 03 stack condo on the 6^th Floor $495K.
• Even a penthouse unit has been slashed from $1,695,000 to $1,295,000.
  

There are a couple dozen units from which to choose in Florencia, even furnished models. There are some incredible opportunities for buyers of real estate in the Bonita Springs area. So don't go on a scavenger hunt for a Bonita Springs short sale, buy a brand spanking new condo at The Colony in the Florencia building - at an incredible discount.

Call Chris or email Chris for a list of current inventory hot off the press!

To learn more about Florencia and The Colony of Bonita Springs read also:

Florencia at The Colony | Pelican Landing | Bonita Springs Florida

The Colony at Pelican Landing - Bonita Springs, Florida

Pricing and inventory are subject to change. All information is deemed accurate but not guaranteed.

Alternatives to Hiring A Mover in Bonita Springs

Well, I'm rounding the bend on closing one of my listings in San Remo at Palmira in Bonita Springs, Florida. I stopped by to help the buyer and their agent do their final walk through. The owners had packed, cleaned and left the home. Their "Pod" was in the driveway. As I waited for the buyer and the agent the Pod truck pulled up. I hadn't seen how they were loaded or how they may or may not get bumped around so I hopped out of my car, camera in hand, and watched.

The huge metal rack lowers the wheels and becomes an independent devise that is gas powered and maneuvered to the Pod by the operator. The metal rack goes over the Pod and hooks to it, picks the Pod up and then the truck is backed right under the whole Pod and rack. The Pod is then lowered onto the flatbed of the truck and the wheels retracted upward to the metal rack. The whole process took only a few minutes. Even under pressure of a dozen or so neighbors watching, the operator was swift and out of there in minutes.

It is a very effective way to pack a home the way you want it packed. The Pod is dropped off at your convenience, packed by you, locked by you and delivered to your next home - across town or across the country (like this one went) or stored until your home is ready. It's a fantastic concept.

A word of caution to Bonita Springs homeowners, many home owner associations may have rules regarding the use of Pods or the length of time a Pod can be on site without violating local home owner association rules. Check with your management company and secure permission through the proper channels prior to having a Pod delivered.

If you'd like more information about moving with Pods visit their official website:

http://www.pods.com/