Life In Bonita Springs

Good Times in Bonita Springs at Buffalo Chips

A willing victim allowed me to interview them about dining at the world famous Buffalo Chips Restaurant in greater downtown Bonita Springs, Florida. I swore it would be easy and painless and then we messed up immediately and went into a laughing fit.  Good times, as usual, at Buffalo Chips.  If you don’t see the video above click here: http://youtu.be/A-ODKwQ83l4

I’ve lived here 27 years and Buffalo Chips has been one of the few constants.  It’s an iconic restaurant that specializes in hot wings.  The hottest wings and the coldest beer, to be exact.  If you’d like to learn more about it, read also:  Buffalo Chips Restaurant.

Bonita Springs News & Events Stream

Besides selling real estate I *really* like Bonita Springs. I like it 27 years of residency, that’s how much I like it. I am also a very nerdy type who also loves social media.  You may already be friends with me on my Facebook profile, have “liked” my Facebook page, followed me on twitter, foursquare or instagram but now there’s something new.  I have now found a way to funnel it all, all social media channels, onto one website so that people who live in Bonita Springs or are visiting the Bonita Springs, Florida area can see what is going on real time or coming up in Bonita Springs, very soon.

Here’s the deal … Bonita Springs is awesome, I want you to know that and I love getting out there meeting people.  I eat out a lot, I even run a dining group in Bonita Springs, plus I am always outside … paddleboarding or bike riding, running around town, you name it and when I do all of this, I usually document it digitally so that people can see what to do, things to do, places to go in Bonita Springs so that they’ll become involved in the community, support local businesses, use the parks, attend the festivals and so on. 

So, I cordially invite you to visit the new sister website www.LifeInBonitaSprings.net for the digital stream that is the fabric of every day Bonita Springs, the local info, the things the locals do – because it is about Life In Bonita Springs, the every day life in Bonita Springs. See you around Bonita!

Taste of Bonita Concert & Festival | Things to Do

Taste of Bonita is just around the corner.  There are two important dates that you’ll want to save:

• Free Taste of Bonita Concert, Saturday, November 17, 2012

• Taste of Bonita Festival, Sunday, November 18, 2012

This is the second year that the Taste of Bonita is featuring a free concert night, the day before the actual Taste of Bonita festival.  The free concert is open to the general public and there will be food and beverages available for purchase, including adult beverages such as margaritas and beer.

The Caribbean Chillers will be in the park for you enjoyment! This Free concert will take place from 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM at Riverside Park.   The concert follows the next day, on Sunday, in the park.

Click map for directions

A complete list of participating “Taste of Bonita” restaurants can be found here.  Taste of Bonita is held at Riverside Park in downtown Bonita Springs Florida, on Old US 41 Road.

It is just south of the Imperial River, just south of Everglades Wonder Gardens.  There is parking along the river in vacant lots.  There will be direction by authorities and Taste of Bonita volunteers.

This is a charitable fundraisers so no coolers will be permitted.  Click the map to the left for directions.

Taste of Bonita is brought to you by the members, family members of The Rotary Club of Bonita Springs Noon and many local volunteers.  See you at Taste of Bonita!

Bonita Springs Real Estate Cover Your Assets

If you’re buying Bonita Springs real estate, what exactly should you, as a consumer, be entitled to or legally expecting form “the other side” when it comes to information pertaining to the homeowner association?  Here it is in a nutshell:

A selling consumer is required to be notified that a buyer consumer is going to be purchasing real estate in a homeowner association and disclose the fee obligations.  That notification comes to a consumer on the homeowner association summary disclosure.  The home owner (seller) is not required to produced the actually HOA documents (the rules).  Those documents can be obtained by asking a title agent or attorney and should also be available on the county clerk’s website.

Seems simple enough but there are agents representing clients out there who do not fully understand how important the homeowner association summary disclosure is to a home owner until it is too late.

One thing is certain, every sales contract should have a homeowner association summary disclosure accompany it.  Remember, it’s always better to over disclose … when in doubt disclose.  Here’s a little video that may help you understand why properly disclosing membership in a homeowner association is so important:

If you do not see the video about visit this link: http://youtu.be/5dHTy28WWLo

The Bonita Bay real estate market is statistically showing great promise with sales units rivaling the so-called boom years of real estate sales.  This real estate market report includes sales statistics for Bonita Bay as well as the Bonita Springs – Estero, Florida areas as a whole.  Information regarding short sales and foreclosures in Bonita Springs as well as historical real estate sale and absorption rates is also included.

Should you have any questions regarding home sales in Bonita Bay or Bonita Springs real estate in general, do not hesitate to call.

###

All information is deem accurate, not guaranteed and subject to change.  Check the date on this report for freshness.  If you have questions regarding your particular neighborhood, your street or your home specifically you’re welcome to contact us for a current market report. Real estate consumers that read this website are urged to seek independent, professional legal, real estate and financial advice before engaging in any transaction. All information is deemed, accurate, subject to change and not guaranteed.

Bonita Springs Things To Do

The Bonita Springs YMCA is forming new and improved sports programs and leagues.  Visit the Bonita Springs YMCA online or in person at 27200 Kent Road, Bonita Springs, Florida 34135 and sign up for any number of coaching or player positions for basketball, soccer, volleyball, flag football and more. 

The YMCA is open again and proving to be an excellent way to spend time with family, get fit and create a sense of community. 

You can find out more about the Bonita Springs YMCA by visiting their website at www.SouthCountyFamilyYMCA.org  or calling 239-221-7560.

Click the map to the left to find a map to the Bonita Springs YMCA.

Things to Do in Bonita Springs, Florida

Who: Bonita SpringsTropical Fruit Club, Inc., Gulf Coast Garden Club, City of Bonita
Springs

What: Fruit Tree and Plant sale and ornamental plant sale

Where: Riverside Park and McSwain House (27451 Old Road 41); Venues are across the
street from one another. Plenty of free parking at Riverside Park and across the street at
the Community Building.

When: Saturday, November 17, 2012.
Fruit Tree and Plant Sale at Riverside Park from 9AM til 3PM
Ornamental Plant Sale and McSwain House from 9AM til 1PM

Contact: For more information, call Mike Davis at 239-240-6200 or Tim Deaton at 992-4664
(co-chairmen of the Bonita Springs Tropical Fruit Club Tree Sale) or Suzy Valentine
with the Gulf Coast Garden Club at 992-0113 or via e-mail at Mdavis45@comcast.net,
timdeaton@yahoo.com or Suzy.Valentine@att.net

MORE

Local Clubs join forces to promote fruit trees and ornamentals.

Two long-established, local organizations are cooperating in promoting a fruit
tree and plant sale and the sale of ornamental plants for the home, lanai and garden.

The Bonita Springs Tropical Fruit Club, Inc. and the Gulf Coast Garden Club,
with the cooperation of co-sponsor City of Bonita Springs, are coordinating their
respective events on the same day and in Downtown Bonita Springs for the convenience
of the public. Park Once – Shop Twice.

Saturday, November 17, 2012 at the south end of Riverside Park in downtown
Bonita Springs the Tropical Fruit Club will hold its semi-annual fruit tree and plant sale
from 9AM til 3PM featuring citrus and non-citrus trees and plants that will include
lemons, limes, oranges, grapefruit, kumquat, papaya, mango, and many others such as
blueberry, macadamia, figs, grapes, jaboticaba. . . and many more.

Local experts will be on hand to answer your selection, planting, care,
maintenance and fertilization questions. No high pressure – just straight answers.
Additionally, locally harvested, unprocessed pure honey and locally made jams
and jellies, specialized fertilizers and other related products will be on display and
available for purchase.

Within walking distance (just a short block) and immediately across the street at
the historic McSwain House at the corner of Old 41 Road and Pennsylvania/Ragsdale,
the Gulf Coast Garden Club will hold its ornamental plant sale featuring trees, shrubs,
foliage, flowering plants, cacti, succulents and other pretty and practical potted plants
perfect for every person and place. This historic venue will be staffed with experienced,
local residents who can help you select just the right plant for your application.

Lots of free advice from those who know in a relaxed, no-pressure atmosphere.
The Garden Club will be at the property from 9AM til 1PM.

Plenty of free parking on the south end of Riverside Park and across the street at
the Community Building.

Come see what these local clubs have to offer. Get your questions answered, find
the right plant for you and meet experienced and knowledgeable locals who are happy to
help in a casual setting.

The funds raised by these established non-profit clubs are used to bring
educational programs to the public and to benefit the restoration of the gardens at the
McSwain House. Membership information will be available.

We thank the City of Bonita Springs for their co-sponsorship and cooperation.

Riverside Park lies on the west side of Old 41 Road and extends south from the
Liles Hotel at the Imperial River bridge to Pennsylvania/Ragsdale streets just north of the
fire station. It is a short drive north from Bonita Beach Road and approximately 2 ½
miles south of the intersection of Old 41 Road and Tamiami Trail. The park features
historic buildings, walking trails, a large Bandshell, picnic tables, outdoor art and a
playground at adjoining Depot Park. Something for the entire family to enjoy.

The Bonita Springs Tropical Fruit Club, Inc. is an educational organization whose
purpose is to promote the propagation and use of tropical fruits and plants in South West
Florida. The groups meets twice a month and provides a forum for the public to obtain
practical information at little or no cost.

It is fun and an exciting way to meet friendly and knowledgeable people who are willing
to share knowledge and experience.

The annual membership is $15.

Find Things to Do in Bonita Springs, Florida

Ever wonder how you can stay on top of super current events in Bonita Springs, Florida? It’s as easy as tuning in to local Bonita Springs social media channel.  Here are a list of the most current local Bonita Springs area Facebook and social media channels to follow so you can keep your finger on the pulse of Bonita Springs, Estero and SWFL activities.  If you have any suggestions for new pages add them in the comments below.

City of Bonita Springs 

Rotary Club of Bonita Springs Noon

Downtown Bonita Springs

Life In Bonita Springs 

Naples Daily News

Florida Fringe Tourism

Life in Bonita Springs on RM

Bonita Springs Chamber of Commerce

Estero Florida Chamber of Commerce

The Dogs, The Donnas and an Outdoor Church

There are more than a few days a week that I could be spotted at Riverside Park with my little buddy, Slum Dawg Dillionaire. One day when Dill was off defending Depot Park from the squirrel population, I met another dog owner.

As luck would have it, I happen to be a Donna magnet of sorts. If there is a woman named Donna anywhere in the near vicinity of my person, the Donna finds me.  That day a Donna was walking her “Will” and so we talked and walked while the dogs did their thing.  When we got back to where we started Donna told me she walks Willow on Sunday before church … and then takes her to church and extended an invitation for me to join her.

Little did I know, even though I’m at Riverside Park all the time is that there is a church that meets on the green, near the band shell, on Sunday mornings.

On this particularly bleak day, our family, unlike many families in the world, was in the throws of struggles with a member who has fought both mental illness and addiction most of their life.   This particular Sunday morning at the park I was walking off the stress and aggravation of over a month of this person being hospitalized, weeks of life support in I.C.U., kidney failure, a respirator, the works.  Things had not looked good for a while and I was exhausted, our family was exhausted.

I’m one of those people who consider signs.  Like a sign to go to church because a Donna had asked me to go. I actually went because I figured some of my Donna guardian angels put the new Donna up to inviting me to church at the park.

The truth of the matter is that it was actually a great service. I’m sitting there in the great outdoors watching a congregation of Bonitians and snowbirds sitting under an Oak tree in lawn chairs. There are dogs in attendance, people on bicycles ride by who stop to listen, a group of folks with developmental disabilities at a picnic table and people who just walk by who grab a park bench for a spell because they, too, stumbled upon service without a roof on it.

CLICK HERE FOR MAP

It wasn’t until I was walking out of church that I realized I was wearing a bedazzled shirt that read “sinful” across the back, proving that this church welcomes everybody no matter how they’re dress, what they drive or if they have a dog on the end of a lead.

So, if you’re looking for a great service to go to and need a sign, here it is.  You’re invited to church this Sunday at 9:30.  It’s at Riverside Park near the band shell and it’s called The Springs of Bonita Church.

I’ll see you there and maybe my dog will, too.

Photos of Riverfest in Bonita Springs 2012

Riverfest continues on Saturday Morning. Here are some photos of the food, fun and games that occurred at the Friday night fish fry at Riverside Park near the Liles Hotel.  If you’d like to join the festivities at the park this Saturday, here is a link to more info: Riverfest Info

If you do not see the video above: http://youtu.be/1HjM-KrO9K4.