Life In Bonita Springs

Nov. 1, 2007

Did You Know Your Neighbor is Losing Their Home?

Bonita Springs Florida HomeA few days ago I visited a friend at an Estero home that he is remodeling. It’s rounding the bend on completion and looking great, just a little kitchen work to go and it’s done. Halfway through the visit his cell phone rang. I could tell it was a business call by his tone. I motioned to him I’d take the dog out, since it was begging at the back door. After we came back in I asked him:

“Did you know your neighbors are losing their home?”

He was surprised and asked, “Why, what, how do you know?” Green pool - One of the signs. Sure, anyone can have their pool green up on them here in Southwest Florida. It only takes a day with the right conditions, a heavy rain or bad chemistry. His neighbors have been impeccable for the years he’s lived here so this strikes a chord of concern for out of the ordinary behavior and possible financial issues.

It’s a shame but it is happening in the Bonita Springs and Estero Florida areas – short sales and foreclosures. Knowing your neighbors can be a tip off to the financial outlook of the community itself. Overgrown grass, green pools and a home falling into disrepair are signs that there is distress of some sort, which may include financial difficulties. It’s ugly but you need to know that foreclosures, short sales and distress sales will affect the overall value of the neighborhood.

If you are a Bonita Springs or Estero Florida homeowner and you’re concerned about your home’s value and your current mortgage condition listen to this podcast that shows the Three Warning Signs of Foreclosure.

 

Posted in Buyer Tips, Seller Tips
Oct. 31, 2007

Bonita Springs Riverside Park - An Evening in The Park

Bonita Springs Liles HotelThe evening at the park will be held at RiversidePark in Downtown Bonita Springs, just south of EvergladesWonderGardens.The six restored cottages are now home to various local artists. The event is FREE and open to the public. The historic society of BonitaSprings will have the restored Liles Hotel open, also. IF YOU GO:

What: Evening in the Park in the City of Bonita Springs.

When: 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, November 9, 2007

Where: The cottages at Riverside Park on Old US 41 in BonitaSprings, Florida.

Admission: Free

More: The Bonita Springs Historical Society will also have an open house at the neighboring Liles Hotel.

Recent activities at Riverside Park of Bonita Springs also include the first annual ImperialRiver “RiverFest”. All monies that were raised benefit the Bonita Springs Waterways Conservation Fun, dedicated to preserving the city’s waterways.

RiverFest included kayak and canoe races along the ImperialRiver and a litter clean up along the river banks. The 2-mile trial races started at

Kent Road
and ended at RiversidePark. There were four races: single kayak female, single kayak male, tandem kayak and canoe. Each race had a $250 first place prize.

Oct. 30, 2007

Flu Shots in Bonita Springs

Bonita Beach Hand HoldingThe Love Story 

I will Seek and find you... I shall take you to bed and have my way with you. I will make you ache, shake & sweat until you moan & groan.I will make you beg for mercy, beg for me to stop.I will exhaust you to the point that you will be relieved when I'm finished with you.And, when I am finished, you will be weak for days.All my love,

The Flu

Now, get your mind out of the gutter and go get your flu shot!

The Visiting Nurses Association is offering the flu vaccine throughout Bonita Springs, Lee County and Southwest Florida during the month of November.

The locations and times are available on the group's Web site at www.visitingnurseswfl.com.

Medicare beneficiaries need to bring their Medicare cards so that Part B can be billed. For all others, the vaccine is $30. The flu shot is available to anyone 9 and older.

Posted in Local Events
Oct. 30, 2007

The Brooks Commons Club of Bonita Springs Florida

The Brooks Commons Club of Bonita Springs FloridaJust minutes to gulf beaches, SW Florida Regional airport, Florida

GulfcoastStateUniversity, the finest dining and world class shopping,

The Brooks in Bonita Springshas something for everyone.One of four Burroughs in the Brooks, Spring Run offers 18 holes of Bundled Golf, tennis, swimming and optional private beach club membership at the Commons Club.   Resale properties are priced from the $300,000 price point for a condominium to the $600,000's for a single family villa home.  Golf membership is transferable to tenants so a home in Spring Run may be the rental investment you are looking for.  Call today for the latest availability.  Current listings may be found at: Bonita Springs CondominiumsAll homes and condos can be leased up to twelve times per year, with a 30 day minimum occupancy.

  The Commons Club - Optional Membership The cost for the Commons Club membership is as follow (2007):Brooks resident            

  •             Bronze              $600 refundable deposit              $215.00 + tax annual dues            
  •             Silver                $2,500 refundable deposit           $880.00 + tax annual dues          
  •             Gold                 $10,000 refundable deposit         $1,065 + tax annual dues             

Non resident members              

  •             Rosie's             $100 application fee                   $215.00 + tax annual dues        
  •             Fitness - Single $100 application fee                   $830.00 + tax annual dues        
  •             Fitness - Family $175 application fee                  $1,045 + tax annual dues          

If you would like more information about the Brooks of Bonita Springs call or email.

Oct. 29, 2007

Bonita Springs - The Low Down Dirty

Bonita Beach Bonita Springs

Badgered and battered into it, I've finally set up this new Bonita Springs blog.  I've got a screaming headache from processing stuff I was not meant to process.   I would like to thank Bob Carney for kindly helping me through this and for also teaching me how to jump start a car via email [it's true].  

One would think  I'd be writing something wickedly funny or importing my feed from my other blogs into Life in Bonita Springs, but no.  I'll be back another day to enlighten the masses.  Enjoy this ab-fab photo of the most spectacular local retreat, Bonita Beach

I'm now going to pretend that I was here and find my happy place now.  Thanks for stopping in and subscribe to my feet, I mean feed.

Posted in Bonita Beach
Sept. 8, 2007

Dog Beach of Bonita Springs-Fort Myers Beach Florida

Three Dogs at Sunset

Dog Beach Bonita Springs Florida 

Looking for a great beach where you'll be able to take your BEST FRIEND in the whole world? Dog Beach in Bonita Springs is one of the only "pets permitted" public beaches.  Bonita Beach does not permit pets.  Dog Beach is also known as the "Lee County Off-Leash Dog Area."  It is located north of Bonita Beach Road where it curves north and becomes Hickory Blvd.  It is physically located just north of the New Pass bridge and just before Carl Johnson boat ramp and Lover's Key state park.  It's only a few miles south of Fort Myers Beach.

Open dawn to dusk, Dog Beach is more or less an Island sandbar.  The size of the beach varies with the tide and water level.  Pet owners are on the honor system to control their pets and also pick up after them. Download or print the rules and brochure for Bonita Springs Dog Beach. (website down)

Right Click Map To Launch

Available onsite are:  Parking, plastic bags and dog waste disposal stations.

  • It was officially sanctioned in May 2002 by Lee County as a permanent off-leash park.
  • It is maintained by a group of local volunteers calling themselves SOODA (Save Our Off-Leash Dog Area.)
  • Lee County will be erecting a sign in the parking area of this beach to remind people that "Dog Beach is a privilege, not a right."
  • The park is accessible by both boat and automobile.  Parking is FREE

If you're on the look out for other SWFL dog parks, read also: 

Dog Beach & Dog Parks Bonita Springs Fl

April 28, 2007

Big Business Loves Bonita Springs

 

Chicos Southwest Florida

If you've ever taken a drive down Metro Parkway in Fort Myers and passed the Chico's headquarters it caught your eye, no doubt. They have the most fun monument sign. You can't help but look at it and smile.

Southwest Florida is home to several businesses that are publicly traded on a major exchange. Some Bonita Springs businesses, such as Source Interlink, have actually relocated and transferred their workforce to the area from a different state. The businesses have moved into the area to improve quality of life for the employees and to spread the corporate wings in an untapped market area. Source Interlink is just a few miles away from WCI Communities headquarters. WCI - Watermark Communities Incorporated has played a major part in the development of Bonita Springs, Estero and other fine communities throughout Florida. They are now expanding to other states.

Beasley Broadcasting, Alico, Inc. and TIB Bank have also decided to call Southwest Florida home.

Maybe the powers that be figure that if you're going to work, why not work in Paradise, right?

If you're thinking of relocating to Southwest Florida or relocating your business to the area, take the plunge. Bonita Springs Florida will welcome you with open arms!

To learn more about businesses based in Florida, also read Florida Trend Magazine. Florida Trend also offers an excellent article: Business Florida, An Opportunity Guide. The article is loaded with great tips, trends and ideas to help business owners brave the move to the Bonita Springs - Estero Florida area.

April 10, 2007

Winterpark Ski Dog

Ski dog winterpark
Something I saw when I wasn't in Bonita Springs, Florida.

Just a dog waiting for his owner at Winterpark. Ski dogs have the best life in the world. You can even see how great their life is in their eyes.

 

Posted in Around Town