Save the Mannequins, Save the World 

Months ago I took a photo of these mannequins at a Bonita Springs shopping center.  I walked right buy them and they were so ugly I had to double back and snap a picture for all eternity and share with the world.  I'll spare the business owner being identified.  

The mannequins have not gone without a check up.  I've stopped in several times after lunch at a local spot just to see if someone knew might be doing the window displays...nada.  Last week I actually saw a woman wrestling with one of them trying to remove the mannequins arm to change her clothes.  I prayed she'd accessorize them.  A necklace, a handbag over the shoulder, sunglasses on the head.  Nothing again.  Should I start a local movement?  Accessorize the mannequins!  Mannequins have feelings too and these mannequins are feeling tired and bored!

Foxhall Home - Bella Terra of Estero Florida 

LQQK at this nearly new Bella Terra home, Foxhall model, with a full head on lake view and no homes built behind it! Features include over $22,000 in builder upgrades, 16 inch diagonal tile throughout the main living area, upgraded carpet in bedrooms, granite kitchen counters with raised panel, staggered cabinets topped with crown molding. The utility room has been outfitted with cabinets, also.

The Foxhall floor plan is one of the most popular floor plans offered by Lennar Homes at Bella Terra of Estero, Florida. Be sure to take the visual tour which includes extensive photos of the community center and amazing activities center which includes tennis, swimming, basketball, playground, volleyball, water volleyball, bocce courts and in-line skating rink. Bella Terra is located only minutes to Miromar Outlets, Florida Gulf Coast State University FGCU, Bonita Beach and SW Florida International Airport. Call today for your private tour.

Learn more about Bella Terra and take a visual tour of the community at Bella Terra of Estero Florida

Call/Text Chris at 239-273-7430 today to find out more about current inventory and pricing at Bella Terra.

Honeybaked Ham in Bonita Springs

This business has closed!

It looks like the Holidays are here!  It hadn’t occurred to me until I received a coupon in the mail that Bonita Springs has its own Honeybaked Ham store.  I swear I live and work in Bonita Springs.  I swear.  Hey, cut me some slack I’m not a meat eater.  What’s more ridiculous, it’s across the street from my Bonita Springs Keller Williams office.  I thought I’d just mention it for any of you Honeybaked fans or those of you who are just fans of doing things the easier way, like me. 

Honeybaked Ham is located on the west side of US 41- Tamiami Trail in Bonita Springs Florida.  It’s directly in front of Pelican Landing, just south of the Old 41 Road light.  Other nearby stores and shops include Pelican Nails, CVS Pharmacy, Prudential Florida WCI and Tokyo Bay Japanese Steakhouse.

Regular Hours
M - F: 10am - 6pm
Sat: 10am - 5pm

Holiday Hours
Wed. Dec. 19 - Sun. Dec. 23 8am - 7:30pm
Mon. Dec. 24 7am - 4:30pm
Closed Christmas Day

 View Map / Directions

The Bonita Springs Boat Parade is Tonight

Find your spot on the Imperial River Boat Ramp, Bridge or along the parade route on the Imperial River.

The Coconut Point Mall Holiday Dog 

The unofficial Holiday dog of Coconut Point Mall enjoying a little people watching on Friday night.  During the week you'll find musicians, singers and bands on various corners throughout the mall main street area. 

If you haven't guessed, Coconut Point Mall is a pet friendly mall.  Dog water fountains are in various locations through out the mall.  Rules are, pick up after your pooch if nature calls.  There are "plastic bag" stations sprinkled around the complex, too, in the event you forgot your own.

This picture was taken by Teavana and the Brighton store on the back side of The Grill Room and Blue Water Grill.

Bonita Springs Evening in the Park

Every second Friday of every month the city of Bonita Springs hosts "An Evening in the Park" at Riverside Park. The event varies from month to month. This month is Jazz in the Park.

The artists cottages behind the Lyles Hotel are usually open, live music is on site and refreshments are available. Mark your calendar, the next Evening in the Park is Friday December 14th between 5:00-9:00 p.m.

If you've not had an opportunity to tour the cottages and meet the artists, you're in for a treat. The artists create mixed media works, jewelry, glass bead art, paintings and more. You will often be able to see the artists actually working on pieces during the event. One of my favorite artist cottages is Bunky Works, pictured right.

Recent Riverside Park Articles include:

• Bonita Springs Bluegrass Festival - Riverside Park (2)
• Holiday in The Park at Riverside Park - Bonita Springs, Florida (0)
• Holy Vandalism Batman! (0)
• Taste of Bonita Festival- Riverside Park (4)
• Photos of the Taste of Bonita Festival - 2007 (0)

Colonial Oaks Homes in Estero Florida

Never do yard work again! Lawn care is included as one of homeowner association amenities of Colonial Oaks in sunny Estero, Florida, just north of Bonita Springs. This three bedroom+den home is the Carlton V model. It also has two full baths, separate formal dining, very nice open air floor plan for you to call your new home in Colonial Oaks. Homes in Colonial Oaks from just under $300,000.

Colonial Oaks is the ultimate in maintenance free living with the privacy of a single-family and an Estero address. With only 99 single-family homes Colonial Oaks is quaint, private and serene. This home offers solid surface countertops, 42 inch kitchen cabinetry, storm shutter panels, new gutters and a tile roof.

This Estero home is situated on a large lot and there is plenty of room for a pool. What else can you ask for? Be sure to print the Printable Flyer and take visual tour of this home.

Colonial Oaks is located on Three Oaks Parkway, just south of Corkscrew Road in Estero Florida.

The central location of Colonial Oaks makes it an ideal location. It is only minutes from FGCU - Florida Gulfcoast State University, RSW - Southwest Florida Regional Airport, Lee County parks and the new Estero Community Center and Estero Community Dog Park & Off Leash Area. The Lee County South Library Branch and Estero High School are within walking distance. Bonita Beach is only 20-25 minutes away.

Colonial Oaks is a gated community that offers swimming, clubhouse, fitness center, playground, picnic area and basketball court. To learn more about the Colonial Oaks community and take a visual tour, read also: Colonial Oaks of Estero Florida

Colonial Walk N, Estero Florida 33928

Additional nearby communities include The Brooks of Bonita Springs, Stoneybrook, Copper Oaks and The Rookery.

If you are interested in further information contact Chris Griffith.

Remodeling Your Bonita Springs Home

Is the style of your home a little out of fashion?  Not the right time to sell?  Why not remodel your Bonita Springs home. 

With inventory at higher levels than in the past it may be more of an effort to sell your home to get the room you need.  Why not add on or go up, as in a second story.  Many homes in Bonita Springs are in neighborhoods, like Pelican Landing, which have large yards, mature grandfather oaks and the neighborhoods are established and flourishing.  Owners of homes in Pelican Landing, Bonita Bay, Wildcat Run and many other fine communities are updating their homes instead of moving.  The generous lot sizes can't be duplicated and many times a simple bathroom renovation is far easier than a move.

If you are a Bonita Springs home owner and you are considering remodeling your home instead of moving here are a few tips offered by Spolar Enterprises, Inc., a Certified General Contractor and home remodeling company in Bonita Springs, Florida.

Should you take the lowest bid on a remodel estimate? 

The lowest bid may just not be the best option when choosing a Bonita Springs remodeling contractor.  You've likely taken three or more estimates for the scope of your remodel work.  First, qualify the estimate.  Make sure you're comparing apples to apples.  There should be itemized lists with the scope of the work, the products being used in the remodel or installation of materials and amounts/quantities of materials, also.  By doing this you can discover if the quality you're looking for is going to be used, whether the contractor forgot or left out items and whether you may want to upgrade or downgrade the entire project. 

Your Bonita Springs contractor should be able to provide material samples or spec's for any of the products that will be used, right down to drywall screws.  Don't be afraid to ask for them if they aren't offered, either.  This is your Bonita Springs home and your remodel project.  Make sure it's done right.

If you're looking to remodel a home in the Bonita Springs or Estero, Florida area call a Certified General Contractor, check the contractor's license at http://www.myfloridalicense.com/ , get references and call those references to verify satisfaction of the work performed. 

Spolar Enterprises can be reached at 239-287-5497

OK, so it's a non violent prank, but still, If you're like me you wonder what little smarty pants thought this was funny .... and how much did it cost the City of b to balance the fountain water again.

Get a good eyeful, it was several weeks ago when I took this photo and it's been fixed since. I was out for a run and ran past Riverside Park at about 7:00 a.m. and this is what the fountain looked liked. Photo was taken with a Treo phone so the quality isn't the greatest. This fountain is huge, by the way and that is a two story building, the historic Lyles Hotel, behind the bubbles.

So how much? Guess. Take a stab at it. My guess is $350 clams, minimum with paper shuffling, manning up and chemicals.  It is government, the organization of $100,000 hammers and such, right?

What's your guess?

Point at Pelican Landing Condo For Sale

Take a look at this 2nd floor Bahama model condo at The Pointe at Pelican Landing in Bonita Springs, Florida.. This home has 3 bedrooms, 2 baths that's model perfect and seen very little use. The condo has great, custom faux painting, pleated shades and attention to detail throughout. It's one of the best views in The Pointe with lush tropical foliage & large open view with a southern exposure.

This Pelican Landing condominium home is in stellar condition and is neat as a pin, clean as a whistle. Competitively priced and prepared for sale this home is a stand out, must see for buyers hunting the best home at a great price. Enjoy entertaining friends and family with the amenities of Pelican Landing including-private 34 acre beach preserve by Lovers Key, new community center with sailing, canoe & kayak park, state-of-the-art gym equipment, huge tennis center, & new Bocce courts. The furnishings are also available/negotiable. This condominium home is located in the heart of Bonita Springs and is just 10 minutes to Coconut Point Mall and 20-25 minutes to the airport - perfect part-time residence.  

The Pointe at Pelican Landing is located near Spring Creek on the southern side of Pelican Landing.

The Pointe is a quiet enclave located in Pelican Landing in Bonita Springs, Florida. The coach home buildings are two story and the condominium buildings are three stories with elevators. Residences in the Pointe at Pelican Landing offer views of preserves, Spring Creek, golf or lakes. All Pointeresidences offer a minimum of two bedrooms to up to a three bedroom and each residence offers a one car garage.

To learn more about the community also read:

• Pelican Landing Bonita Springs Florida 34134
• Pointe at Pelican Landing - Bonita Springs, Florida