Fantastic time at the Jet Blue Park  Open House yesterday.  The Red Sox new home is nothing short of beautiful.  The layout is user friendly and even with over 15,000 people attending the open house it did not feel packed.  The best part of the day was standing on top of the GREEN MONSTER–what a view!!!  Free hot dogs were handed out and the kids were having a ball.  Just a 25 minute drive from Cape Coral but you should leave a bit early for the games because it looks like they still need to iron out the traffic situation.   Congratulations Red Sox on your new home!

Location: 11500 Daniels Parkway, Fort Myers, FL

click here for more

What a fantastic Art Festival this year….lots and lots of amazing art work.  Everything from ceramics, photographs, paint, jewelery, iron work, …..the festival has it all.  A great place to bring the kids too! Food, entertainment…..you name it.  Fun! Fun! Day~!

ArtFest Fort Myers, Southwest Florida’s premier art festival takes place downtown Fort Myers on February 4 & 5, 2012 from 10 to 5 each day.

Click here for more info….

They say “The City of Palms is located in Southwestern Florida on the banks of the Caloosahatchee River. Most visitors go to Fort Myers for the deep-sea fishing, the golf courses and the famous white sand beaches and islands that line the Gulf Coast. A renovation of the city’s downtown waterfront promises new restaurants, clubs, shops and galleries. Attractions include the winter estates of Henry Ford and Thomas Edison, as well as nearby Naples and the islands of Sanibel and Captiva.”

See the article here

It’s official….There had been some talk about outsourcing but the City of Cape Coral decided unanimously Monday night to keep control of the Coral Oaks Golf Course.  This is GREAT news!  The City has seen some tough economic times in the pasts couple of years (along with the rest of the State and Nation) but we are  starting to see a turn around.  We’ve made it through the worst…and we are not giving up now.  In the past, other outsourced golf courses in the City did not fair so well so this is great news!  There may be a couple of dollar surcharge per round…but if you have the money to play golf…I don’t think an additional $3 per round is going to hurt anyone.  So enjoy the sunshine golfers….

Here are a few of my favorite places to dine…..

Bistro 41, Fort Myers : located in Bell Tower Mall.  Relaxing atmosphere.  Great Food.  Comfortable bar.

Bonefish Gill, Cape Coral:  Fresh fish.  Fresh fish.  Fresh fish….Did I say fresh fish!?!  Located on Pine Island Road.

Chen’s China Bistro, Cape Coral: I am pretty picky about my Chinese food and I have to say that Chen’s is the best I’ve had in SW Florida.  Fresh ingredients and always served piping hot. 

Marker 92, Cape Coral: Waterfront Dining!  Located at the Resort at Marina Village (aka…Tarpon Point).  Fine Dining with a huge wine selection.

Moretti’s Seafood Restaurant, Matachla:  Waterfront dining.  I’ve only sat outside but they do have inside seating also.  Fabulous fried calamari.  Sit and watch the dolphins play…the manatees swim by….or arrive just at the right time and watch the sunset.  I have to say the best sunset I have ever seen in my life has been at Moretti’s.  Everyone in the restaurant stopped in place to watch the show.

Nauti Mermaid, Cape Coral: Waterfront Dining!  Great place for casual dining or just hang out with some cocktails.  Gorgeous view of the marina.  Welcome to Paradise….

Red’s Seafood Restaurant, Pine Island:  Great food!  And a HUGE menu!! A Pine Island legend lives up to its reputation.  If you are looking for good food…you won’t be disappointed

Rumrunners, Cape Coral: There is nothing like dining on the water.  This classy restaurant offers comfort with lots of style.  Fabulous food! 

The Joint, Cape Coral: Cape Harbour put us on the map!  Casual dining with a view of the marina.  Grab just a small bite or settle in for dinner.

Turtle Club, Naples:  Beachfront dining. Ok…here is the deal…..I will tell you about this place but when I come there you have to make room for me because once you all find out about this favorite spot of mine…it will be standing room only.  We enjoy lunch!

Check back soon…because I’ll be updating frequently

Cick here Cape Coral Fun

One of the great pleasures of living in SW Florida is the opportunity to grow exotic fruit.  In my garden I grow figs, mango, pineapple, avocado, and of course the gorgeous banana.

A good friend gave me a few shoots of her Lady Finger banana tree about a year ago and one has produced a heart…..now I just wait for the bananas.

 #12-Randell Research Center-  The Randell Research Center is a great place to learn about archaeology, history, and the ecology of Southwest Florida and the Calusa Indians.  The Calusa were one the most powerful people in South Florida and for many centuries they built massive shell mounds and canals.  All that is left of their culture today is a small amount of shell mound sites.  Come enjoy nature and learn about the history of the Calusa on this 50 acre site situated on the scenic community of Pineland…….and maybe even volunteer to help without some research.

#11-Sunday Jazz Brunch at Cafe Pignoli - You are always in for a treat at Cafe Pignoli’s.  Chef Robert and Barbara are the perfect host.  From omelet station to carving station to those yummy gourmet cakes and pastries.  On the water at Cape Haroubr: 10am-2pm every Sunday. 5785 Cape Harbour Drive, Cape Coral, FL. 33914 Phone: 239.541.0800

 #10 – Mike Greenwell’s Family Fun Park – Grab the kids (big and small) and head to the home of Major League fun.  Go Cart Tracks, Miniature Golf, Batting Cages, Arcade, Paintball,  etc…..  And watch for those special events like the Haunted Halloween nights.

#9 – Walk your Dog – Cape Coral’s Waggin Tails Dog Park  located at Rotary Park is for our four-legged friends.  Wagging Tails Dog Park includes an area for small and large dogs, as well as several park benches and shaded areas for owners to socialize while their pets play and interact with other dogs.  see map

#8 – Anthony’s Comedy Club at Anthony’s on the Blvd - Thursday night is Comedy Night!  Comedians are from great shows like Coconuts Comedy Club, HBO and Showtime with a perfect mix of local comedians.

#7 – Cape Coral 3rd Annual Canal Cleanup – March 27, 2010 – Location: Yacht Club Pavilion- Time: 8am – Sponsored by Cape Coral’s Environmental Resources Division and Keep Lee County Beautiful.  For more information contact Kim Cressman at 574-0785. RSVPs are requested.  Website www.klcb.com

#6 – Cape Coral Historical Museum – The Museum was established by The Cape Coral Historical Society to preserve the history of Cape Coral and Southwest Florida.  The building was the original clubhouse from The Cape Coral Country Club and was moved to it current location in Cultural Park in 1983.  Come hear the story and see the photos of the history of Cape Coral.  A dream come true.  See map

#5 – Off to the Moives - Marquee Coralwood 10 Cinemas, 2301 Del Prado Blvd, Cape Coral, FL 33990. Originally built by Cobb Theatres in 1986 as a six-plex. It was later renovated and made into a 10 screen Cinema.  This theater offers all the latest movie and 3D too.  See map

#4 – City of Palms Park - Home of the Boston Red Sox spring-training since 1993.  Just a short ride over the bridge to City of Palms (aka…Fort Myers).  Enjoy the ball game in this beautiful Florida style stadium with covered grandstand and palm trees past the outfield.  Tickets go on sale December 5th.  Tickets available with everything from Home Plate Box to standing room.  See map

#3 – Coral Oaks Golf Course – An excellent par 72 course will challenge players of all levels of play, gorgeous landscaping and natural setting, reasonable rates, good location, eight lakes and old oak trees lined fairways make this not just a beautiful course by a fun day for all.  See map

#2 – Sun Splash - Fun in the sun at the  Sun Splash Family Waterpark in Cape Coral,.  Check out the Electric Slide, a Kelly green five-story twisting tube slide, or  relax and catch some rays on the Lazy River. Don’t forget the Cape Fear and cable drops. There are water playgrounds for kids, and volleyball and video games too. Enjoy lunch at the Calypso Cafe. The park is open from mid-March to mid-October.   See map

#1 – Visit the beach at the Yacht Club. Grab your towels, sunscreen and beach toys.  Enjoy a burger at KC’s River Stop Restaurant just at the end of the fishing dock.  Playground, BBQ grills, bathrooms, Fishing Pier, Racquetball Courts, Shuffleboard, Horseshoes, Public Boat Ramp, much much more….        See map

Most buyers from the north who have just purchased real estate in Cape Coral Florida always ask about our gardening seasons…

We are a sub-tropical climate where frosts and freezes during the winter are very rare. Fruit trees and tropical plants grow easily and it is very common to have avocado, mango, bananas, and papaya trees in our backyards.  Sound like fun?  Head out to your backyard and pick that banana for your morning cereal…..YUMMY!

Most vegetables also grow well, but only in the cooler seasons since many have a tough time surviving our hot and humid summers.

This girl from New England sure has had to learn a lot about gardening in this Hardiness Zone of 10……worth ever moment when I will pick a tomato or two for our Holiday meal.

(picture taken 11.28.09)

Cape Coral is home to Florida’s largest population of Burrowing Owls.

The burrowing owl is a pint-sized bird standing approximately nine inches tall and weighing only about four ounces.  They live in open, treeless areas, spending most of their time on the ground, where their sandy color provides camouflage from potential predators.

As it’s name says: the burrowing owl differs from other kinds of owls……instead of nesting in the trees, the burrowing owl lives underground in burrows.

Many Cape Coral residents help their feathered friends by securing off the area around the burrow and offering a “T” stake for the birds to perch on.

Owls are very site specific, which means they are likely to return to the same territory year after year to raise their young.  This may be Mr. Confused’s case….

Currently Florida’s burrowing owls are listed as a ‘species of special concern’ meaning “those facing a moderate risk of extinction in the future”.

Many people wrongly believe that it is not possible to build real estate on a vacant lot if burrowing owls occupy it….Not true!  However, there is a process that a builder needs to follow to protect our little friends….

Feel free to contact me for more info about our burrowing owls or how to build near a nest…

Deb Cullen, GRI, ABR, e-PRO, SRES, RSPS

deb@CapeDeb.com

239.233.2322