A Day in Paradise

     Florida offers a lot to the outdoorsman. Fishing. Boating. Walking and hiking trails. Running. Swimming. Anything you can do outdoors, you can do in Florida practically year round. But there is one thing in particular people in SWFL enjoy very much. It's kayaking. Single, sit in or sit on boats you paddle with an oar. They are wonderful workouts as well as giving you the ability to take a boat into an area a conventional motor boat or canoe will just not take you. Like the Estero River.
     The Estero River is a 6.4 mile long river that weaves through SWFL and into Estero Bay, an inlet of the Gulf of Mexico. It intricately weaves in and out of wooded areas and shrinks down to less than 100 feet wide in some areas, as well as less than 4 feet deep, making it perfect kayak territory. The Estero River also has a wide array of wildlife for you to enjoy. From beautiful Egrets and Blue Herons, to many fish varieties as well. It's a rare chance to enjoy the river sanctuary of the Calusa Indians from thousands of years ago.
     You can go to local sport shops and get yourself a kayak for less than $300 for a basic model. Many places all over SWFL will let you rent a kayak hourly or daily if you just want to experience it once or twice. It is a once in a lifetime experience to enjoy untouched nature preserve. Estero River Outfitters has been offering kayak tours and rentals for years and are located directly on an Estero River inlet. Go see them today to get started on a nature tour to remember!

     For those of us that live in Southwest Florida full time, we understand why tens of thousands of people choose to call this area home for the winter. We have beautiful weather from August to February, and nothing closes because of snow. Those of you used to freezing temperatures year round can still wear board shorts and flip flops on Christmas day. But did you know some of the most influential people of all time lived in SWFL for the winter months? Nestled on 21 acres of beautiful waterfront land was the winter palace of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. The man that gave us modern light and the man who rolled out the modern automobile held homes right here in SWFL, and they are open for you to tour today!
     The Edison's main home is now used as the central hub of the museum, including gardens, the Edison Botanical Research Laboratory, as well as both the Edison winter home and the Ford winter home. It is open to the public 7 days a week and at a cost of $20/person, its a fantastic bargain for a day of fun and historical sight seeing. Don't have the full day? The estate offers smaller packages to only tour certain pieces to get in there and check out the specific area you want.

     One of the biggest things that draws people to Florida is our fresh seafood. From shrimp and shellfish to any and all fish, Florida has the biggest and the best. Dennis Henderson has been in the shrimping industry his entire life, eventually taking the reigns at his own company TriCo Shrimping, the largest shrimp fishery in SWFL. And he brought his passion for the freshest fish possible to Ft. Myers with a little dive called Skip One Seafood, named after one of his first fishing boats. During season, this little gem can have up to a 2 hour wait, but it is more that worth it.

     What makes Skip One so special? Well, the fish of course! Dennis brings some of his best catch to Skip One for his chefs to prepare for your lunch or dinner. Most of the time what you are eating has gone from boat to plate in less than 24 hours. Second, they skip on the fancy décor and spiffy tables. This passes the saving on to you, with many large dinner portions under $15 per person. Expect, however, nothing but the best. The menu is simple. Other than a list of appetizers, including the best fried gator tail you will ever eat, dinners are listed as single or double proteins, made either blackened, fried, or grilled. Choose a couple sides. That's it. Sit back and enjoy some of the best fish you will ever eat. His grouper nuggets are something of legend around SWFL. Forget the large, fancy fillet of grouper that will cost you $30 at a fancy schmacy restaurant. Grab a huge order of these easy to eat (and easy to enjoy) nuggets of grouper delight, dip them in their homemade tarter sauce that is out of this world, and wash it down with a nice beer....and there is nothing better in this world!

     Don't want to wait on dinner or feel like cooking from home? Check out Skip One's market inside the restaurant. Grab a piece of that spectacular grouper or some huge Florida pink shrimp and go home and make a dinner you won't forget. The market changes daily, because Dennis only sells the best in his fish market, so that day you only buy what's good, not just what's there. Stop by one of their 2 locations, the original on US 41 or their 2nd location on Ft. Myers beach, and see why they are the best of the best at the seafood game!

          Theatre lives on in SWFL thanks to the Mann family. Barbara B. Mann, born Barbara Kingsbury Balch, spent her early years in Topsfield, MA and moved to Fort Myers, FL as a young child. After receiving her high school diploma from Thomas Edison himself, she went on to meet George T. Mann and got married. The Mann's owned a very successful contracting company. Barbara became something of a philanthropist in the area. The theatre on the campus of Edison College is no exception.     
       With seating for 1200+, the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall welcomes hundreds of acts every year, from local Florida orchestra's, to national recording artists, comedians, and a variety of other Broadway shows and events. They have a variety of ticket packages, from individual tickets, to season passes, and even become a member of the President's Club (Barbara herself was a president at one time) for exclusive perks. 

     Everyone remembers the real estate crash that started in 2004. Everything kind of fell apart. It's taken us almost a decade, but SWFL is crawling back to prominence. We are down in foreclosures, but most importantly, we are up in new building permits. That means that builders are building more new homes, because of a lack of real estate inventory out there now. New homes really show the power of an economy. The cities and counties really show growth by showing an increase in new buildings going up.
     What does that mean for you? That means that opportunity is out there! Your options are growing, and banks are getting more lenient. That means more for you and, most importantly, more for your wallet! So get out there and get shopping! Considering new home purchases. Consider upgrading, or even downsizing if you need to. The new and old alike is out there for you to choose from.

    

     Everyone travels this time of year. Everyone needs directions to get where they are going. And most of them use Google Maps. Google has put a lot of time, effort, and money into making the most comprehensive navigation and mapping tool you can get. And now another piece of SWFL has been mapped out for Google Maps!

     Over the next few months, crews will walk up and down all of SWFL's coastlines with 15 high tech cameras to map it out for the Google Maps network. This is big news for us because not everyone gets even their cities mapped for Google Maps much less the coastline. And since a big reason people flock to SWFL in droves is the beach life, have what Google calls "Street View" will take tourists one step closer to the action even before they even book the trip.

     There are 2 things people migrate to Florida for more than Disney, more than the weather, even more than beaches. Its grouper and stone crab. Florida is known the world over for some of the best stone crab fishing in the world and fisheries flock here in droves to catch their piece of a multi billion dollar pie. And stone crab season is back! It's time to go out and find yourself some of Florida's "golden nectar of the sea". Restaurants all over the state will buy hundreds of pounds of stone crab claws a day. Known for it's sweet taste and wonderful texture, chefs will do everything to it, from just serving the claws to making seafood stew and other delicious concoctions. Check your local seafood restaurant for specials on stone crab claws, or go to your favorite seafood shop and grab a pound or 2 for yourself!

For those of you who have never been to a major league baseball game live, you don't know what your missing. Southwest Florida is known for being a baseball town, as we have 2 teams that hold Spring Training right here in Fort Myers. The Minnesota Twins and the Boston Red Sox have held spring training here every year for decades, and it's been a part of the social scene here forever. Recently, the Red Sox and the city of Fort Myers have come together to give us a brand new baseball stadium for Red Sox spring training. JetBlue Park!

JetBlue Park sits in the heart of SWFL's travel district right across from Southwest Florida International Airport and next to the highly sought after community of Gateway. The field takes you right to Boston, as JetBlue is the exact same dimensions in every way to Fenway Park, the Red Sox' regular season home. It is full of the most high tech equipment and modern amenities a baseball park can have. Other features from the ballpark in Boston that are present in the spring training stadium are the triangle, Pesky's Pole, and the famous Lone Red Seat that marks the longest home run hit in the Fenway's history. The facility also holds a development league area that City of Palm's Park, the Red Sox' old spring training home, could not hold. It boast's 6 practice fields, one of which is the exact dimensions of the field at Fenway Park, as well as a state of the art, 50,000 sqft locker room.



But baseball is not the only thing that goes on at JetBlue Park. The addition of a large baseball stadium gives SWFL a place to hold many event, concerts, festivals, circus', and even high school and college sports championships. And with a capacity of 11,000 screaming fans, the opportunities are endless. They even offer daily tours as well as being open 7 days a week to buy tickets, shop, eat at one of their restaurants, or even take a tour of the stadium.

So stop by JetBlue when you get the chance. You might catch baseball fever!

That's right! For the 5th consecutive month, the average median price of a single family home rose again. What does that mean for you the consumer? It means it's time to buy! It means it's time to sell! It mean the real estate market is hot again, and there is no better time then now to take advantage of the consistent rise in value. Have you talked to a realtor about the price of your home? Call me today for a FREE evaluation of your real estate investment. We will talk about the opportunities you have to buy, sell, or invest in this rapidly growing market, and how to take advantage of all the resources available to you to get the most out of your dollar.

You can find the full article here:
http://www.news-press.com/article/20130930/RE/130930036/Lee-existing-single-family-home-median-price-up-1.2-percent-in-August?source=nletter-business

Call me today at 239-887-2810 to set up your free consultation!!!!!

Florida is known for a lot of things. Beaches. Hurricanes. College football. But one of the most important things Florida contributes to the national economy is citrus fruits, specifically the Florida orange. Anyone who remembers growing up in Florida remembers going out to the backyard on a Saturday morning, picking some fresh oranges, and having the best cup of OJ you ever had. Well, its not quite the backyard, but Sun Harvest Citrus delivers on every level. Sample all of their delicious juices anytime (my favorite is Strawberry Orange), have a snack from their bakery café, get some local produce that's a great value, have some fresh juice or fruit shipped directly to you or a loved one, or take a tour of their warehouse facility. It's all a blast! And wrap up your trip with some Orange Vanilla swirl ice cream or Key Lime Chocolate (YUM!). Go visit them today and see why every SWFL local makes this slice of heaven a must stop!

The real estate market is an up-and-down cycle. Sometimes it's down and sometimes it's up. Now....we are up! Real estate is up to it's highest levels since February 2007. This is great news for those of you trying to decide whether or not to sell your home and upgrade or downgrade your home. Getting the most out of your investment is of the utmost importance, and now you can! You can find the full article here:

http://www.news-press.com/viewart/20130920/RE/309200017/Real-estate--U.S.-home-sales-hit-6%c2%bd-year-high?source=nletter-business

Now is the time to get that home from for sale to sold! Call me today at 239-887-2810 to set up your appointment and discuss all of your options!

One of the biggest reasons that Florida is so popular is our beaches. Some of them are know worldwide. Some of them are more secluded. We called them hidden gems. Some of the best are right here in Southwest Florida! A list has been compiled listing the 10 best hidden gems in all of Florida. Lovers Key and Tigertail Beach both have the beauty and feel of a Florida vacation beach, just without the tourists and the business bustle. You can find the article right here:

http://www.news-press.com/article/20130910/ENT13/130909033/10-best-kept-secret-Florida-beaches--Lover-s-Key--Tigertail-make-the-list?source=nletter-weather

Visit one of the hidden Florida treasures today! Stop at your local Publix, grab yourself a picnic lunch, and head out for a day at the beach!

One of Southwest Florida's oldest homes needs your help! The infamous "God is Love" home in the McGregor historic district has been abandoned by it's owner. This 1925 gem is a 2 story ranch style home with wood floors and a stone fireplace. It need some work to return it back to it's former glory. This incredible piece of history needs your help! Call me today for a private tour! 239-887-2810

 

Watch dolphins at play and shell along the beaches. Pack a picnic lunch or dine at Barnacle Phil’s. Bring swimsuits, beach shoes and shelling bag. Reservations required; call 472-8443. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. $55 per adult, $45 per child (3 and younger free). Adventures in Paradise Inc., 14341 Port Comfort Road, Fort Myers. adventureinparadiseinc.com

Join Florida master naturalist and state historic site volunteers on this historic paddle, and explore the ceremonial center of the Calusa Indians. Hike the trail as you rise more than 30 feet above the waters of Estero Bay. Paddle with dolphin, manatee, osprey, cormorants and great blue heron as you trace the trail of our early settlers from the Calusa to the Koreshans. Reservations required; call 992-2184. $55; all equipment included. 8:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Lovers Key State Park, 8700 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach. www.collegeoflifefoundation.org.

I'm under arrest for having a big heart! The Muscular Dystrophy Association will be "locking me up" and asking me to raise $3,500 for bail. All of the money earned will benefit the Southwest Florida residents with muscular dystrophy. The money is used towards research, sending children with muscular dystrophy to camp, and MDA clinics.

Please visit my website and make a donation. Small or large...every little bit counts!

http://www2.mda.org/site/TR?px=1899052&fr_id=7090&pg=personal

Last Tuesday was the official start of lobster season in Florida. There was a flood of divers and snorkelers in the Keys searching for the delicious crustacean. Lobster season, which runs until March 31, is celebrated by commercial and recreational fishermen. Recently, recreational fishermen have harvested 1.3 million pounds a year, while the commercial fishermen capture a hefty 4.4 million pounds. Lobster fishing is best in the Keys and along the East coast of Florida. So pack up the kids and snorkel gear and enjoy the freshest (and cheapest) seafood you will ever find! Be sure to check local rules and regulations before diving.

1. Florida has passed a law making it a $60 fine to drive 10mph below the speed limit in the fast lane on major roadways. That’s right snow birds…move over!
2.  There is a new bill allowing the sale of wine in 5.16 gallon canisters, which can be tapped just like a keg.
3. Florida does not have state income taxes.
4.  That $2,000 a month you spend on a tiny studio apartment in the city will find you a 4 bedroom pool home almost anywhere in Florida.
5.  No matter where you go in Florida, you are only about an hour away from the beach.
6.   Publix subs…try one and you will be hooked!
7.  You won’t have to move when you retire.
8. Fresh seafood can be found just about everywhere.
9.  Health benefits. The sun and laid back tropical vacation lifestyle reduces stress while the humidity is great for dry skin (but not your hair.) Plus, Florida was originally a “retirement community” so the health care system is great and a doctor is very easy to find.
10.  There are more umbrella drinks than there are people.

The smell of pancake syrup and grease fill your nose as you push your way through the regular crowd waiting for a table. If you are looking for a cure for the common hangover, or just want your fix of a hearty breakfast…Annie’s is the place to be. The décor is old and outdated, but it’s typical of an old fashioned diner. The eclectic variety of coffee mugs and local paintings make you feel like you are in your grandparent’s house, where everyone is treated like family. They even have the grouchy older woman running the register who reminds you of a cross between your grandmother and Roz from Monster’s, Inc.

Some of the staff may not be the friendliest, but the food is great and the prices are pretty close to the same as when they opened. They definitely don’t skimp on the portions either. Fancy a pancake the size of a pizza? How does a 6 egg omelet sound? There are of course smaller portions, such as a “mini” 3 egg omelet and a kid’s size pancake which they are more than welcome to allow a person of any age to order. There are many different options on their menu and everything is typical of a Southern diner and 100% delicious! They are only open until 1:30, but they do have a limited lunch menu and daily specials. If you are ever in the area, and find yourself searching for an excessive amount of delicious carbohydrates and savory breakfast meats take a trip across the Cape Coral bridge and check out this hidden gem!

The Alliance for the Arts was founded in 1975 to encourage the growth of the arts in Lee County. With two buildings on site, the Alliance features an indoor theatre, galleries, classrooms, and an outdoor amphitheater that bring together many different art groups. Almost 40 years ago, the membership fee was $5 and member information was handwritten in a small journal, but the members were very committed to the future of the local culture. This town was in desperate need of a home for all the creativity to flow freely and now we have it. Today, membership fees start at $50, but the Alliance offers a lot more than it did back in the older days.

One of the main features of the Alliance is the art gallery which hosts many different exhibits throughout the year. Whether you just want to look around or get your hands dirty, the Alliance has exactly what you are looking for. They offer classes like photography, painting, knitting, pottery, sketching, and musical lessons for adults and children of all ages. Once you are done with your class or finish up your stroll through the exhibit, check out all the locally made products in the gift shop.

The 150 seat indoor theatre hosts many new performances every year from different performance groups, including Theatre Conspiracy. This group moved into the Alliance theatre in 1993 and is described as “unafraid to push the envelope of live theatre.” The theatre and other spaces throughout the building are available to rent out for performances, events, or meetings. The outdoor amphitheater is used for concerts, theatrical performances, and special events for large crowds.

Every summer, the Alliance is used for an art themed summer camp to expose elementary aged children to the art world. The camp gives students a chance to test out their abilities in different artistic outlets, including drama, art, dance, and vocal training. Each week, the kids are given a different theme to focus on and every Friday they put on a musical performance in the theatre for friends and family.

Also, the Alliance for the Arts hosts a Green Market on the campus every Saturday. Here you can find locally grown, caught, or prepared foods and products for purchase. During the market, you can enjoy yoga classes under the trees with a locally registered instructor, live entertainment, and fun activities for people of all ages.

Southwest Florida is a community full of art and culture; the Alliance for the Arts is the perfect home to nurture and enhance the creativity found in Lee County. Whether you are a local resident or just passing through, take the opportunity to show your support for the arts and stop by.