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Coconut Point Press

Presenting Luxurious Bonita Springs , Estero & Naples Lifestyles


by Katharine Swam By katharine Swan The third quarter held good news for Lee County: starting With 87% of people Though paired with a decrease in price, their home search on the interhome sales statistics for August net, a real estate agents website and September indicated can make a big difference in howa dramatic increase in the number easily buyers can find homes that of sales from last year. This meet their needs and how satisupward trend suggests that fied sellers are with the number of Florida's real estate market is days on the market and the selling beginning to stabilize, starting price of their home. Southwest with Naples, Fort Myers, and the Floridas most comprehensive surrounding areas. new real September, the Florida In estate website, www. CoconutPointRealEstate.com, ofAssociation of Realtors released fersreport comparing August both a a host of tools to benefit 2008 home sales statewide to those of buyers and sellers. August work really hard toareas We 2007. Several ofoffered that other real estate fer thingssubstantial increases in the number of home sales, led by agents dont do, says D. Michael the Fort Myers-Cape Coral area Burke, P.A., a real estate profesat 32 percent. According to

Lee County Leads Upward Trend in Florida Home Sales User-Friendly Real Estate Website Benefits Buyers and Sellers
many experts, the good news may indicate that the real estate market is beginning to stabilize, sional and the owner of the new beginning with areas offers Lee website. The website such asadCounty. vantages for both buyers and sell"August and September are ers: Search tools that make findusually slow months for theand ing a home easier for buyers, real estate market in our area," says offer greater visibility for sellers. Michael Burke, a luxury real For example, the website ofestate expert specializing in Lee fers several different advanced and Collier Counties. "But this search options to sales actually year, August's help buyers find what they are looking for in surpassed those in January, a March,with less and September's home, or June - trial and error. Homebuyers can select specific sales ranked even higher." neighborhoods from thelist and According to a August report, the Fort for sale in view only the homes Myers-Cape Coral area enjoyed a search those neighborhoods 684 home sales in August feature other real estate 2008, a website significant increase from only searches do not offer. The web520 sales in August 2007. Condo sites search features also include sales in the area also rose average of 649 homes sold. But in August of this year, there were 729 pending finding a percent guesswork out ofsales, 12home, more than Instead of wasting Burke says. the month's average." This upward trend becomes time looking at homes that are evenwrong area for what theyin more obvious in the September'scan narrow withfonumbers, the the want, buyers pending sales for Lee County cus of their searches to just those coming in at a whopping 200 houses and locations that work percent increase over September for them. the combined areas of 2007. In Burke Bonita, that many Naples, also notesand Estero, buyers looking forclosed in sales homes the September's area are retiring Baby 2007 by 40 Boomers. surpassed September Since many in this generation are percent. less comfortable navigating the At the same time as the number of sales have website Internet, Burke notes, hisincreased, is prices have designed to be The specifically decreased. as Florida Association of Realtors' easy to use as possible. Buyers report able to spend their time need to be indicates that median prices for homes, Myers-Cape searchingin the Fortnot trying to Coral area have fallen 41 percent

January/February 2009 November/December, 2008

Bonita Springs/Estero/Naples Luxury Real Estate Expert Bonita Springs/Estero/Naples substantially, from 128 to 168. Luxury Real Estate Expert an In addition to showing increase from last year's data, Burke notes that the number of anhome sales map, which2008 also integrated in August enables beat out the average where buyers to pinpoint exactly for the month located. a home isover the last decade. "If you take websites advanced Our the number of home sales features take lot of nine search in August overathe past the years, you come up with an

Michael Burke Michael Burke

over the past year: From $250,800 in August 2007, to $146,900 in to use the search figure out howAugust 2008. Yearto-date sales feature, he says. numbers for Septemberwebsite also benefits Burkes 2008 show a similar story: The median greater vissellers because of the price for the combined ibility it offers.areas of Naples, The easier it is Bonita, and Estero was for buyers to find your home, the $304,495, down 20 percent from more likely it is to sell quickly, $381,000 at the end of heSeptember 2007. says. And Burkes marketing tools have June of 2007, off: On a "In definitely paid I sold average, for $575,000. In fewerof house his listings spend July days onI the market, and ulti2008, sold the same model for mately sell for Burke said, noting $525,000," a higher price per square he has observed price drops that foot than his competitors in choice communities of listings. between 9 and 12 percent. deal Burke attributes a great of his Somenumbers to the websales experts suggest that competitive pricing has he has sites and marketing tools triggered the The sales. In an interview built. rise in tools we offer are at
continued on page 5 Cont.d on Page 5

FEATUREDPROPERTY FEATURED PROPERTY


offered by: offered

MICHAEL BuRkE, P.A., REALTOR by: Michael Burke, P.A., REALTOR


Grandzza Grandezza, Estero Grande Estates
H.3620 -- Beautiful bath 2493 decorated 4 H.3759 4 Bed, 3 designer under air, Bed+Den, 4.5 ft. Former model w/spec4901 total sq. bath, 3495 under air, 4867 total sq. ft. Estate home w/countless tacular upgrades. Beautifully designer upgrades. Tile on diagonal, tray ceilings, decorated, tile on diagonal & inlays, rope lighting, window treatments. Formal tray ceilings w/crown molding, plantaliving, dining room & den w/double door tion shutters, window treatments, faux entry w/stunning built-in. Gourmet finishes, custom niches & ledges thrukitchen, built-inkitchen, w/center cabinets out. Gourmet appliances. 42" island, w/crown cabinets. Large lanai, heated family room 42 cherry molding, w/expansive & spa, w/gorgeous tiered built-in pool corner sliders opens the room & breathtaking w/tropical natural steps to the lanai views of a wooded views beyond. Built-in pool/spa & furtropical preserve & lake. Offered grill, w/separate guest suite entry w/private nished at $849,000 bath off the lanai. Offered at $999,000.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE


Your Your Money .........................................2 2 Money . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page Health Health & Wellness . ...............................3 3 & Wellness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page Recipes of the Month . . . . . . . . . .page 4,12 Recipes of the Month .......................4,12 Family Life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page Family Life ...........................................6 6 Fun & Games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page Fun & Games .......................................7 7 Feature Homes . . . . . . . . . . . .page 5, 8 & Feature Homes ...........................5, 8 & 9 9

Estero NEW LISTING

Home & Garden .................................10 10 Home & Garden . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page Travel & Automotive .......................... 11 11 Travel & Automotive . . . . . . . . . . . .page Calendar of Events ............................ 13 13 Calendar of Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page Important Numbers ............................13 13 Important Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . .page Monthly Market Reports .....................13 13 Monthly Market Reports . . . . . . . . .page Lifestyles ............................................14 kids Corner ........................................14 Out Of Town Properties .....................15
Lifestyles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 14 Kids Corner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 14 Out Of Town Properties . . . . . . . . . .page 15

Michael Michael Burke Burke

239-777-0473 Call Michael Burke 239.777.0473

Call Michael Burke

To Have Your Home Featured in the Next Issue Call Michael 239-777-0473

John R. Wood Realtors


26269 South Tamiami Trail Bonita Springs, FL 34134
26269 South Tamiami Trail Bonita Springs, FL 34134

PRSRT STD. U.S. POSTAGE DXO Communications

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w w w. C o c o n u t P o i n t R e a l t y. c o m
Website owned and maintained by Michael Burke of John R. Wood REALTORS, Bonita Springs, FL 34134

Page 2

Your Newspaper

January 2009

This column is produced by the Financial Planning Association and provided by Al Procaccino, a member of FPA and Certified Financial Planner with Castle Financial.

Do you have any potential conflicts of interest? It may seem like a rude question, but the best planners expect this one and are prepared to make disclosure. Obviously, if a planner profits from the sale of investment products to you, he / she must spell that out. How do you feel about teaching and training? One of the primary benefits of having a financial planner is education about the moves you are making or may potentially make. Dont view a planning relationship as tossing someone your finances so you wont have to deal with them anymore. As long as youre paying for their services, make sure you get a long-term education out of it.

www.castlefinancial.com

A Financial Planner The Gift that keeps on Giving


Now that the holiday season is over and you have given to everyone on your list, why not give yourself a gift the chance to build your financial awareness with a trained expert? Financial planning is an investment. It costs money. But its potential returns are manifold a chance to get a handle on current problems with spending, debt and investing and a long-term opportunity to diffuse fear of financial issues by learning everything possible about them. It doesnt matter if you are a single working individual or a family with kids still at home the right financial planner can be a long-term partner in re-educating everyone in a household about money and the right ways to handle it. Making the decision to do financial planning as an ongoing part of your life, you have the chance to fully review all your spending and investing decisions and maybe allow each of your family members to individualize a plan that will set them on a good course for life. Here are some questions you should ask a prospective financial planner: What training do you have? Find out how long the planner has been in practice and what kind of certifications they hold. A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional is someone with a minimum of three years who has completed a comprehensive course of study at a college or university offering a financial planning curriculum approved by CFP Board in the USA or FPSC in Canada. CFP practitioners must pass a comprehensive two-day, 10-hour CFP Certification Examination. Based on regular research of what planners do, the exam covers the financial planning process, tax planning, employee benefits and retirement planning, estate planning, investment management and insurance. What services do you offer? What a financial planner offers is based on credentials, licenses and areas of expertise. Generally, financial planners cannot sell insurance or securities products such as mutual funds or stocks without the proper licenses, or give investment advice unless registered with the proper authorities. Some planners offer financial planning advice on a range of topics but do not sell financial products. How do you charge for your services? Professional planners will provide you with a financial planning agreement that spells out the services they provide and how theyll be compensated. Payment can happen in one of several ways: Salaried planners are actually employees of a firm, and you help pay their salaries through fees or commissions you agree to pay. Direct fees to the planner through an hourly rate, a flat rate, or on a percentage of your assets and/or income. Commissions paid by a third party from the products sold to you based on the planners recommendations. Commissions are typically a percentage of the amount you invest based on those recommendations. A hybrid of fees and commissions: A planner may charge a fee for designing a comprehensive financial plan and occasional visits and calls to review it, while commissions might come from products they sell that you invest in. (Some may offset fees in exchange for commissions.)

Small
Elancing With the Stars
(NUI) - Owning or managing a business requires some fancy footwork. Especially challenging are difficult economic times like today when life calls for the tango, while all the steps you know are the conga, limbo and the hustle. But, how can businesses pull off this two-step, even during a time of cutbacks? Smart businesses have gotten into the swing of getting work done with speed, flexibility and at a manageable cost - tapping the army of professional online freelancers always accessible at Web sites like Elance.com. Online freelancers, or elancers (rhymes with freelancers), are qualified professionals with expertise in areas like Web programming, design, copywriting, research and other specialized skills. Here are a few ways e-lancers can help small businesses during uncertain economic times: - Connect with Key Customers. Make sure you are closer than ever to your most valuable customers. Hire elancers to call and thank valued customers, write and conduct customer surveys, design and execute direct mail campaigns or develop special promotional offers to build loyalty with your best customers. - Sharpen Your Sales and Marketing. Invest in bringing in new customers. Consider hiring an elancer to re-write your sales and marketing materials, re-design or upgrade your Web site, help you launch a blog, build and execute an online marketing campaign, qualify sales leads or simply update your customer newsletter. - Maximize Employee Productivity. Lets face it; there are lots of distractions that slow down your best employees. Empower your people to delegate activities to elancers who are specialists. Tasks such as conducting competitive research, sourcing new customer leads, entering data into your database, organizing customer or employee events and other administrative tasks are ideal to entrust to an on-line freelancer. -Elancing with the Stars. Smart business owners say theyve used Elance to reinvigorate their businesses flexibly and affordably, without adding fixed costs to their operations. Using elancers, they scale up or down as needed. Best of all, these stars, with their specialized skills, are available around the clock to help small businesses stay productive and ahead of the competition. And thats something worth dancing about.

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Sunshine Publishing produces monthly publications featuring family-value articles on a wide variety of topics. It is independently owned and operated and is not affiliated with any real estate association, board or company. Opinions expressed are those of the writers and not necessarily those of the Publisher or advertisers. The Publisher regrets any inaccuracies contained herein, but accepts no liability for damages arising out of errors in advertisements beyond the amount paid for the space actually occupied by the advertisement in which the error occurred, whether such error is due to the negligence of its servants or otherwise and there shall be no liability for noninsertion of any advertisement beyond the amount paid for such advertisement space. Errors must be brought to the newspaper immediately and before any subsequent insertion of the advertisement. The publisher will not be responsible for errors after the first publication of any advertisement. We reserve the right to restrict all ads to their proper classifications and to edit or reject any copy.

The third caller with the correct answer will win $25
An optimist stays up until midnight to see the New Year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.

The fifth caller with the correct answer will win $25

One resolution I have made, and try always to keep, is this: To rise above the little things

January 2009

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Page 3

(NUI) - Stress and anxiety form normal parts of the human experience. Seven out of every 10 North Americans report feeling stressed or anxious every day. Anxiety is a normal reaction when something isnt right. An anxiety disorder is when an individual experiences persistent, irrational and overwhelming anxiety that interferes with daily life. Anxiety disorders is the term used to include generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social anxiety disorder or social phobia, and specific phobias, said ADAA President and CEO Jerilyn Ross, MA, LICSW. Completely eliminating stress proves impossible, but people can learn to manage their stress through lifestyle

Taking Stress and Anxiety Out for a Walk

changes. For example, regular exercise helps ease anxiety. Some studies show that exercise can work quickly to elevate depressed moods in many people. A brisk walk or other simple activity can deliver several hours of relief, similar to taking an aspirin for a headache. Regular aerobic exercise has been shown to decrease overall levels of tension, elevate and stabilize mood and improve sleep and self-esteem. Science has also provided some evidence showing that physically active people have lower rates of anxiety and depression than sedentary people. Thats why exercise is an integral part of every treatment program recommended by Ross. People may feel powerless in terms of home life, finances or politics, but theyre in control when they exercise, said Ross.

Fitness Tip: Lack of activity destroys the good condition of every human being, while movement and methodical physical exercise save it and preserve it. ~Plato Running, walking, gardening its all good. Regardless of what you do, regular exercise and physical activity is the path to health and well-being. Exercise burns fat, builds muscle, lowers cholesterol, eases stress and anxiety, lets us sleep restfully.

Tips from a Pregnant Gal


By Marlo Taylor 4. Folic acid, also known as Folate or Vitamin B9 is a key nutrient every pregnant woman should know about. Folic acid prevents neural tube defects (NTDs) such as spina bifida. Most pregnant women need between 0.4 to 1 milligram of folic acid throughout their pregnancy and while breastfeeding. I get this with Centrum Materna, my daily prenatal multivitamin that has one milligram of folic acid. 5. Be a fashionista! Lucky for us, being pregnant doesnt mean nine months of leggings and your husbands t-shirts. There are lots of affordable maternity lines and boutiques with stylish and fashionable clothes that are also comfortable. Show off your belly! Being pregnant will be one of the most exhilarating experiences of your life. By eating well and taking care of yourself you will feel better and encourage the healthy development of your baby. Enjoy all the pleasures pregnancy will bring, it will be quite a ride!

Healthy Travel
(NC)-There is limited air moisture inside an aircraft and much of it is actually other peoples sweat and breath. Add to this the fact that airplane filters do not remove all circulating viruses and that passengers are in very close and confined quarters, and it becomes clear people face vastly increased exposure to germs on flights. If you are planning a winter getaway to the ski slopes or the southern sun this season, here are a few important health tips to take with you: 1. Travel well rested. Be sure to get lots of sleep a week prior to departure. In an environment with lots of people in close contact, sleep also helps keep your immunity strong to fight airborne germs. 2. Bring medications and treatments. Put your medications in your carryon luggage just in case your suitcase is lost. Take supplements prior to travel to help prevent a cold or the flu. Certain extracts of North American ginseng

Six tips to staying healthy when flying this winter


root (found in the natural supplement Cold-fX) help boost your immune system to keep you healthy. Some clinical tests show virusfighting results as high as 89%. If you feel a cold or flu coming on, you can opt for the new extra strength version (with 50% more immune boosting power) as an alternative to antibiotics and other drugs. 3. Keep hydrated. Humidity levels can get as low as 10% and that will exacerbate any ailment from dry skin to headaches to catching a cold. Drink plenty of fluids but be aware that alcohol and caffeine are dehydrating too. 4. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Even healthy people can get blood clots in their legs, so on long flights, stretch your calf muscles at your seat from time to time. 5. Pack alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Theyre more effective than soap and water in killing bacteria and viruses that cause disease and are an excellent alternative while on the road. 6. Dont assume youre safe after youve landed. Researchers have found live cold viruses on hard surfaces in hotel rooms up to 24 hours after cold sufferers checked out. Boost your immune system to protect yourself.

(NC)-What better way to learn the ABCs of pregnancy than from a pregnant gal herself. Here are some things that I think every pregnant woman needs to know. 1. Take care of your health and your babys health with regular visits to the doctor and keep a record of all of the upcoming checkups and what tests will be done. 2. Eat! Make sure you have a balanced diet with lots of grains, fruits and vegeta-

bles. Include the suggested amounts of iron, calcium and protein into your diet. And indulge on occasion in your favourite foods or cravings. 3. Being pregnant doesnt mean nine months of being a couch potato. Its okay, in fact encouraged, to exercise while pregnant. Maintain a level of physical activity, with the approval of your doctor, in activities such as walking, yoga or strength training.

Page 4

Your Newspaper

January 2009

Check out page 12 for more delicious recipes

Breakfast On The Go Beat winter weather blues with warm home cooking
Latin Chicken with Florida Grapefruit Black Bean Salsa
Serves 4

A Decadent, Romantic Dessert For Two


Red Raspberry Mousse
10-ounce package frozen raspberries 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 cup heavy cream 1 egg white 1/4 cup sugar Directions: Line four 6-ounce ramekins with rounds of wax paper or parchment paper. Cut four 10-inch-long strips of wax paper or parchment paper slightly higher than ramekin and line sides of ramekins overlapping ends. Place raspberries in a food processor and process until smooth. Add lemon juice. In a large bowl, beat cream until stiff peaks form. Fold in raspberry mixture In a separate bowl, beat the egg white until stiff peaks form. Sprinkle sugar over egg white and continue beating until sugar is dissolved. Fold into raspberry mixture. Pour mixture into ramekins smoothing tops and freeze solid. To remove the mousse from molds, dip each mold into hot water for five seconds, wipe dry and invert onto chilled plate, using paper to help pull each dessert from mold. Spoon sauce around mousse on plate. Let stand at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving.

Ham and Cheese Strata Muffins


Makes 12 muffins
Ingredients: 8 slices whole-wheat sandwich bread 4 slices Cheddar cheese 4 slices Black Forest ham 1/4 cup Margarine 6 eggs 1 cup milk 1/2 tsp each salt and pepper 1/4 tsp each dry mustard and Worcestershire sauce Directions: Preheat the oven to 350 F (180 C). Top 4 slices of bread with cheese and ham, then crown with the remaining slices of bread to make 4 sandwiches. Spread the margarine evenly over the outside of each sandwich. Using a serrated knife, cut each sandwich into 12 cubes. Lightly pack 4 cubes into each of 12 greased muffin cups. In a medium bowl, whisk together the remaining ingredients. Spoon the egg mixture over the cubes. Let stand for 10 minutes. Bake for 30 minutes or until golden and set. Let stand for 15 minutes and then remove the muffins from their cups. Serve immediately or wrap individually and refrigerate. May be kept in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Chicken & Marinade

4 x 8 oz chicken breasts, gently scored with knife tbsp garlic puree (or 2 cloves chopped fine) tbsp vegetable oil tsp ground black pepper tsp ground chilies or cayenne pepper tsp ground cumin tsp salt 4 green lettuce leaves - washed, dried

Grapefruit Salsa

1/4 cup freshly squeezed grapefruit juice 2 Florida red grapefruit, peeled, segmented, roughly chopped 3 tbsp honey 2 tbsp fresh squeezed lime juice 1 clove garlic, chopped tsp ground cumin tsp salt 1 x 15 oz can of blackbeans, drained 1 cup fresh, ripe papaya, peeled, seeded and cubed inch 1 ripe avocado, chopped inch cubes cup red onion, finely chopped 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, finely chopped Directions: 1. Mix all marinade ingredients and rub well into chicken breasts. Let marinate for 20-40 minutes. 2. Mix all salsa ingredients. Let sit to combine flavors for at least 20 minutes. 3. Grill or pan fry chicken breasts. Approximately 2-3 per side until done. If using a frying pan, cover with lid while cooking at medium-high heat. 4. Place green lettuce leaf on serving plates. Place cooked chicken breasts on lettuce. Top with 2 tbsp grapefruit salsa and serve.

Raspberry Sauce

5 ounces frozen raspberries (1/2 package) thawed. 2 tablespoons sugar 1 teaspoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon Chambord or Grand Marnier Puree raspberries in food processor, then press through a fine sieve to remove seeds. Mix puree with remaining ingredients and chill until ready to serve.

PAGE

26269 South Tamiami Trail Bonita Springs, FL 34134

D. Michael Burke P.A. 239.777.0473 Michael@BurkesBeach.com


C.4396 - Cozy, spacious, 2 Bed, 2 bath second floor, Coach home Grandzza, Estero with 1480 under air, 1630 total sq. ft. One of the few units available with a landscaped view. Tile floor, dramatic high ceilings, ceiling fans. Golf, amenities and clubhouse included in monthly fee. Offered at $225,000.

C.4587 Great location, 2bed/2bath, 1393 sf Condo West of 41 in North Twin Eagles-Hedgestone, Naples. Tile thru-out main living areas & lanai, decorative kitchen backsplash & accented tile in hallway. Living room w/vaulted ceiling leading to the comfortable lanai w/serene view of a beautiful lake and large trees. Offered at $199,000.

Naples

L.680 Build your own customestate home on this large lot on the10th fairway in this exclusivegolfing community, w/two golfcourses designed by Nicklaus &Player. Private Community offersmiles of scenic walking trails,biking paths, parks gardens, 47,000sf clubhouse, Har-Tru tenniscourts, fitness club, dining and hashosted the ACE Group Classic &PGAChampions Tour! Offered at$149,000. . Call Michael 239-777-0473

The Retreat, Naples

Fountain Lakes , Estero C4921 - 2+Den, 2 bath, 1540 under

air, 1962 total sq. ft. Beautiful tranquil views of 2 large lakes & golf course. Former Model unit, w/numerous upgrades. Faux finishes, window treatments, tile on diagonal, hardwood flooring, decorative lighting/ceiling fans, wired for surround sound. Only steps from pool. Offered at $239,000. Call Michael 239-777-0473

Call Michael 239-777-0473

Call Michael 239-777-0473

Grandzza, Estero Bonita Springs Bonita Golf Club,

C.4581 2 bed+Den/2 bath,family home air, 3226 total sf. Great 1727 sf., furnished carriage home in private, gated on a back street with no through golfing community. Vaulted ceilings, tile traffic. Open floor plan w/tile & in main living areas, carpet. Comfortable crown molding in main living lake living room w/fantastic view of theareas, archways & high & golf course. Centrally locatedceilings commuthroughout. Kitchen w/breakfast nity, within minutes from airport, FGCU, new shopping centers, fine & casual dinnook, 42" cabinets w/crown molding ing. Offeredto $249,000 furnished. opening at the large greatroom Call Michael 239-777-0473

H.3518 3+Den, 2 bath, 2100 under

The Dash Poem


by Linda Ellis I read of a man who stood to speak At the funeral of a friend. He referred to the dates on her tombstone From the beginning to the end. So think about this long and hard. Are there things you'd like to change? For you never know how much time is left, That can still be rearranged. He noted that first came the date of her birth has acould just slow down this Every individual matters and If we role to play in enough To consider what's true and real And he spoke the following date with tears, life on earth. The chimpanzees And always try to understand teach us that it is not only But he said what mattered most of all human but also non-human beings who matterpeople feel. The way other in the scheme Was the dash between those years. And be less quick to anger, For that dash represents all the time And show appreciation more That she spent alive on earth. Above those who loved her And love makes a in our lives And now only all we must realize that each of us the peopledifference Know with that little line is worth. impactsLike we've never loved before. what our life. Each of us the world around us every

w/sliders leading out to the lanai w/built-in kitchen. Offered at $299,000. Call Michael 239-777-0473

Residences at Leads UpwardBonita Springs Lee County Coconut Point, Trend in Florida Home Sales
continued from page 1

with CNBC, the economist Richard Dekaser recently referred to the real estate market in neighboring Naples as "slightly undervalued." According to the Burke, "Seventy-one percent of all closed sales are under $500,000, with 36 percent under $250,000. As a result, buyers are rightly coming to the conclusion that now is a great time to get a good deal." Additionally, Burke notes, sellers who price their homes competitively benefit the most from the increase in sales. "I have noticed that the sellers who are pricing their houses in the lower 20 percent are the ones most likely to sell. The sellers who are staying in the Cont.d from page 1 front of the market with price reductions, rather than chasing the the leading edge of technology the most market down, are the ones with for helpsuccess." ing sellers sell and buyers find, he says. www.CoconutPointRealEstate.com offers a handful of other tools for helping buyers and sellers. For instance, the website has an Area Links section, which puts all of the communitys important links in one place. This makes the website a one-stop shop for information about the area. The new website also incorporates several of Burkes most successful tools for sellers and buyers. For example, Burke offers a home feedback system, allowing agents and potential buyers to fill out a survey indicating what they liked or didnt like about the house, and whether they thought the price was appropriate. This helps Burke keep his listings priced in the lower 20 percent of the market, where they will attract the most showings, and therefore sell the fastest. Market Reports is another feature that Burke has long offered buyers and sellers, and will be available on his new website. These reports compile all of the sales data for a specific neighborhood, such as the final sales prices for homes, the average price per square foot, and the average days on market. This data is a useful resource

User-Friendly Real Estate Website Benefits Buyers and Sellers

The lower ft. top floor unit w/fantastic pricing scheme is 1733 total sq. anticipated views. Mediterranean architecture to bring even more buyers to lake Lee and this upscale, urban living condo only in Collier Counties, which in turn will result in more sales. dining & movie thesteps from shopping, "Nothing attracts buyers atres. the promise of a marble deal," like Included w/granite, good countertops, ceramic tile, price will remain Burke says. "Therefore, hurricane impact windows. All this for $528,888. the key to successful selling as the market continues to stabilize." Call a house on the low PricingMichael 239-777-0473 end of the market can be a tough pill to swallow, but it's essentially the same principle used when the market is thriving, Burke notes. "If it is logical to price just ahead of the market when prices are rising, it's also logical to price just ahead of the market when prices are falling. The sellers who have accepted this and who are priced at for both sellers and buyers, as it helps sellthe lower end of the spectrum of the market are the ones selling." ers price their property competitively, and helps buyers determine what is an appropriate offer to make. Seller Elite Home Feedback and Market Reports are tools that are exclusive to my websites, Burke says. They help my sellers keep in touch with the current market, which translates into less time spent on the market and offers that are closer to the original asking prices. All of the features offered on Burkes website support one fundamental idea: the importance of remaining competitive in the current market. The websites search features increase visibility for sellers by making homes easier for buyers to find, and the area links make the website a comprehensive resource for both buyers and sellers. Perhaps more importantly, the sites Market Reports and Home Feedback enable sellers to keep their fingers on the markets pulse. Price is still the key to selling a home, Burke says, noting that homes priced within the lower 20 percent sell the fastest. My goal with my website is to help sellers find that happy medium between a good price and a quick sale.

C.3636 - 3 bed, 2 baths, 1489 under air,

of things.

single day. We have own; For it matters not how much wea choice to use treat each other with respect, If we the gift of our life to The cars, the house, the cash, And more often wear make the world a better place - or not to bother. a smile What matters is how we live and love Remembering that this special dash And how we spend our dash. Might only last a little while. And to all young people, in mothers words; If you really want something, when really work hard, read take advantage So, and your eulogy is being and of opportunities, and neveractions up, you will find a way.. With your life's give to rehash Would you Follow your Dreams. be proud of the things they say Jane Goodall
About how you spent your dash?

~~~
FAMILY WEALTH PROTECTION AND GROWTH STRATEGY

Page 6

Your Newspaper

January 2009

Make New Years resolutions as a family


its also a wonderful experience for the whole family to share a common cause. For example, charities like Christian Childrens Fund - a child-focused international development organization, offer a variety of ways to help children break free from a life of suffering in extreme poverty. As a family, you can choose to provide books and a school uniform or even a soccer ball simply by visiting www.christianchildrensfund.org. Its the perfect way to get a whole family involved in a feel good New Years resolution. Work on a home improvement project as a family. There is no need for dad to be the only one in the garage cleaning and organizing it. Making a team effort as a family helps kids to have a sense of responsibility, accomplishment and pride in their home. And it encourages them to keep the space orderly in the future.

Purr-fectly Green Cat Care Tips


(ARA) Like their human companions, pets modern lifestyles consume natural resources and can contribute to environmental issues like greenhouse gases and the waste stream. As consumers and responsible pet owners, we are all looking for ways to care for our pets health and their environment, says Jill Cordes, host of Americas first broadband pet channel www.Petstyle.com.

(NC)Commonly, New Years resolutions are made by individuals who want to make personal growth or improvements in some area of their life. But resolutions made as a family unit have their benefits too. Shared resolutions develop teamwork skills, bring a family closer together and provide the support each family member needs to be successful at keeping resolutions. There are many New Years resolutions that will give the whole family a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction:

Eat healthy and exercise as a family. Children who develop healthy eating and exercise habits while they are young are more likely to continue to lead healthy lifestyles through adulthood. Parents are the perfect role model for this. Its as simple as eating fruit for snacks and going for walks as a family. Schedule sit - down dinners as a family. With busy days, weeks and months that just race by, its easy to grab a bite on the go as parents hustle to get kids to music lessons and soc-

cer practice. Or maybe the kids just want to sit in front of the T.V. while they eat dinner in their own little world. But studies show that having dinner as a family fosters conversation, bonding, warmth, security and loveespecially important during the teen years. Dinner as a family may not be possible every night, but even one night a week makes a difference. Support a charitable cause as a family. Many individuals get involved in various charitable causes as a New Years resolution, but

You can become a greener cat owner with 10 simple steps, Cordes advises:
1. Give them shelter. Overcrowding at animal adoption centers strains resources. You can help ease the problem and possibly save an animals life by adopting from a shelter rather than buying a cat from a pet store or breeder. 2. Use protection. Get your cat spayed or neutered. Unplanned, unwanted deliveries often wind up in shelters, contributing to the overcrowding problem. Plus, spaying and neutering can help reduce your cats risk of developing uterine, ovarian, or testicular cancer. 3. Tag, youre it. Be sure your cat always wears a name tag. If he gets lost, the tag will help anyone who finds him return him to you. Plus, youll conserve the gas you would waste driving around the neighborhood hunting for him, and the paper for those missing posters. 4. Keep it clean and gentle. Replace traditional pet care and cleaning products that may contain harsh chemicals with gentle, all-natural products. 5. Potty all the time. Choose environmentally friendly cat litter made with natural biodegradable corn fibers which are sensible for the environment. 6. Food for thought. Just as added hormones or pesticides in your food arent good for you, theyre not good for your cat, either. Look for pet food that is natural, organic and FDA-certified. 7. Quench their thirst. Be sure to use filtered tap water rather than bottled water, which weighs on your wallet and the environment. 8. Play ball. Purchase toys made from sustainable fibers or recycled materials, or entertain your cat with homemade toys crafted from recycled materials, like a scratching pole made from old carpeting. 9. Into the wild... or not. If your cat craves the outdoors, try to keep his outside time supervised in an enclosed area . 10. Purr-tanical gardens. In an enclosed space, plant a small garden in your backyard for your cat and stock it with cat-safe herbs and flowers.

Putting the Magic Back In Your Marriage


(NUI) - Jobs, children and other obligations can keep spouses from enjoying quality time together. But stress and busy schedules shouldnt keep you from enjoying your partner. Here are some tips from Darren Hardy, publisher of SUCCESS magazine, for North Americans hoping to reconnect with their significant other: Pen each other in: Arranging a weekly date with your spouse might lack spontaneity, but scheduled together time might just become the highlight of your week. Go to a caf and chat over coffee and scones, see a movie or stroll through your neighborhood. Both of you will enjoy a stress-free chance to reconnect. You can start out by writing down a list of activities you would like to do with your spouse, like seeing an art exhibition or ing notes on a pillow or in a briefcase -sometimes the little things make people feel the most loved. stressed, look for ways that you can help lighten the load. Drive the kids to school one day so that your spouse can sleep in, or surprise your spouse by making dinner for the whole family on a busy night. Show gratitude: When couples fall into routines, both parties may start to feel underappreciated. Your spouse works hard to keep your family running, so acknowledge your partners efforts with a thank you every now and again. Arrange lunch dates: If you work in the same area, why not meet for lunch once weekly? You wont have to schedule a babysitter, since the kids are in school, and you will still have the evening hours to complete any tasks on your list.

taking a nature hike. Ask your spouse to write a list, too. Then, do one activity each week, alternating between your lists. Write love notes: Your spouse will appreciate find-

Surprise your spouse: Prepare breakfast in bed on one random weekend, or ask your spouse to join you on a weekend getaway. Leap in to help: If your spouse seems extra-

January 2009

Your Newspaper

Page 7

.......... Dot to Dot .........

Did You Know?

Connect the Dots and see what you find

Ice made of salt water does not contain any salt. That is the biggest relief for people like the Eskimos, who live in icy regions and are surrounded by ice all year long. All they have to do is melt the ice -- and their fresh drinking water is ready.

Whats a wuzzle you ask?

A wuzzle is a saying/ phrase that is made up of a display of words, in an interesting way. The object is to try to figure out the well-known saying, person, place or thing that each wuzzle is meant to represent.

Wuzzle

CROSSWORD

Answers on page 14
Compliments of www.WuzzlesandPuzzles.com

The objective is to insert numbers in the boxes to satisfy only one condition: each row, column and 3 x 3 box must contain the digits 1 through 9 exactly once. What could be simpler?
Answers on page 14
Compliments of www.sudokucollection.com

Across 1- Employs, consumes 5- Clear as ___ 10- This, in Tijuana 14- Leaf tool 15- Walk-on role 16- Rotisserie part 17- Disparit 19- 9th letter of the Hebrew alphabet 20- Below 21- Cochise, for one 23- Inflammation of the colon 26- Phonograph record 27- The Muse of astronomy 28- Table attendant 29- Insurgent 30- Wrong 31- Bumbler 34- Stated; 35- Meat option 36- History Muse 37- Conductor de Waart 38- Cleave 39- Spacious 40- Chauffeur 42- Small nautical flag 43- Refrigerator

45- Monk of the Eastern Church 46- Fuzz remover 47- Occupied 48- Italian wine city 49- Travellers; 54- Back 55- Word with panel or energy 56- Sudden assault 57- Dellas creator 58- Christmas foliage 59- Longings Down 1- William Tells canton 2- ___ Quentin 3- Supplement, with out 4- Spangled 5- Former French colony of North America 6- Bundles 7- Islamic chieftain 8- Permit 9- Someone who remains loyal 10- Fancy home 11- The study of ghosts 12- One tenth, usually 13- Alternate 18- Pending

22- Crown of the head 23- Swearword 24- Mountain nymph 25- Speech sound 26- More wan 28- Strong Australian horse 30- Half a sawbuck 32- Actress Anouk 33- Lobby of a theater 35- Febrile 36- Pertaining to the heart 38- Dimensions 39- Sovereign 41- Go to bed 42- Croissant emporium, e.g. 43- Blaze 44- Vertical face of a stair 45- Artificial waterway 47- Work the soil 50- As well 51- Not for a Scot 52- Metallic element 53- Radical 60s org.

Answers on page 14

Crossword puzzles provided by BestCrosswords.com

PAGE

Your Newspaper
H2011 - 4 Bed, 3 1/2 bath, 2910 under under total 4046 total serene air, 5079 air, sq. ft. Beautifulsq. ft Courtyard home w/captivating lake views, tropical landscaping, nestled views. Blinds, Kitchen, diagonal, on a cul-de-sac. 18" tile onw/stainless tray ceiling w/crown molding, rope built-ins, granite countertops, decorative backsplash tile. Formal kitchen. lighting, state-of-the-art living & dining room, family room w/fireplace & Great room w/wall-wall sliders built-in. Lanai w/pavers, built-in heated leading to lanai's brick pavers & pool/spa w/private entry to master suite. built-in pool/spa w/expansive lake Offered at $899,000.

Bonita Bay, Bonita Grandzza, Estero Springs

H.3623 - 3 Bed+Den, 3 bath, 2446

& fountain views beyond. Offered at $549,000. Call Michael 239-777-0473 Call Michael 239-777-0473

Cell: 239-777-0473 Fax: 866-890-4452 26269 South Tamiami Trail Bonita Springs, FL 34134 Michael@BurkesBeach.com

Michael el SW Florida s Lux ux


H.3116 3 Bed+Den, 2.5 bath, 2822 C.5016 - First floor turnkey immacunder air, 5491 total sq ft. Large ulate 3 Bed, 2 bath, 1627 under air, gourmet kitchen, granite counters, 2007 total sq. ft. condo Blinds thrutile tile, carpet, double door cabinet out, backsplash, 42" entry to w/crown molding. kitchen w/raised bedroom/den. Large Family room w/hardwood flooring, dining & paneled cabinets & crown molding, comfortable tray room w/ spectacuLiving roomliving ceilings w/crown lar views & large sliders leading molding of lake & golf course. Master bedroom, large walk-in closet, out to the lanai's heated pool & private entry to the of large lake at outstanding views lanai. Offered & $259,000 golf course at $1,050,000.
Call Michael 239-777-0473

239-777-0473 / Michae hae

Grandzza, Estero

H.2168 3+Den, 3 bath Mediterranean style great room open floor plan, with 2481 under air and 3282 total sq ft. Coffered, volume ceilings, gourmet kitchen with granite counter-tops, and upgraded tile. Home offered at $519,000 with a beautiful lake view located in a private gated golfing community Call Michael 239-777-0473

Grandzza, Estero Grandzza, Estero

Call Michael 239-777-0473

Lighthouse Bay at the Brooks, Bonita Springs

C.4399 - Second floor end unit Garden Home, 2 Bed+Den, 2 with 1402 under air, 1516 total sq. ft, with lake view. Numerous upgrades. Plantation shutters, ceramic tile, beautiful custom mural in kitchen and glass paneled cabinets. Offered Turnkey at $239,000.

Grandzza, Estero Grandzza, Estero

Call Michael 239-777-0473

C.4557 Beautifully furnished, designer decorated 3 Bed/2 bath, 1727 2+Den, 2 bath, 2000upgrades, Numerous under air, H3630 - sf. stunning vaulted ceilings, decorative 3627 total sq. ft. Faux finishes, window niches & ledges throughout. treatments, chair railings, crown molding, tile, hardwood floors.. endless upgrades. Diagonal tile & accented mosaic tile Kitchen, granite countertop/backsplash, in foyer & hallway, window cabinets w/crown molding. Expansive treatments, decorative wall paper & sliders from great room to lanai w/builtpaint. Kitchen cabinets w/crown in pool w/tropical views & lake beyond. molding, breakfast bar & nook Offered at $459,900. w/fantastic views of the lake. Offered at $299,000. Call Michael 239-777-0473 Call Michael 239-777-0473 H.3582 3 Bed+Den, 3.5 Bath, 3014 under air, 5693 total sf Courtyard home w/beautiful expansive views of lake, golf course & woods. Numerous upgrades thru-out, crown molding, plantation shutters, tile, hardwood floors, custom built-ins, Bose surround sound. Stunning gourmet kitchen, w/granite countertops, 42" cherry cabinets w/crown molding, decorative tile. Offered at $849,000. Call Michael 239-777-0473 C.3597 - 4 Bed + Den, 3 bath, 3565 under air, 5524 total sq. ft spacious estate home. Great 2nd floor bonus room can be used as 4th bedroom, exercise or game room. Numerous upgrades. Expansive kitchen w/crown molding, built-in wall oven. Lanai w/built-in heated pool. Offered at $419,900. Call Michael 239-777-0473

The Colony - Palermo, Bonita Springs 3240 under air, 4110 total sf.

C.4675 - 8th floor, 3 bed, 3.5 bath Spectacular panoramic views of the Gulf of Mexico & Estero Bay. Exquisite turnkey designer decorated, marble flooring & counter-tops, faux finishes, custom cabinetry, kitchen w/builtin paneled appliances, granite countertops. Offered at $1,395,000. Call Michael 239-777-0473

Shadow Wood at the Brooks, Bonita Springs

Grandzza, Estero

H.2605 Valencia model with 4 Bed+Den, 3 bath, with 2750 under air and 3673 total sq ft. Home offers beautiful views of the golf course, lake and water feature with a desirable South West exposure, located in a private gated golfing community. This beautiful designer furnished home is offered at $849,000 with builtin pool, spa and vaulted ceilings. Call Michael 239-777-0473

Stoneybrook, Estero

Grandzza, Estero

H.3625 - 3 Bed+Den, 3 bath, 2455 under air, 4046 total sq. ft courtyard home w/Tiki Bar. Great for entertaining w/built-in pool & spa. Numerous upgrades thru-out. Tile, crown molding, blinds, tope lighting, state-of-the-art kitchen. Discounted golf membership & golf cart also for sale. Offered at $539,000. Call Michael 239-777-0473

Grandzza, Estero

H.3544 4 Bed, 3 Bath, 2910 under air, 5887 total sf, side entry 3-car garage. Numerous upgrades thruout, 18x18 marble and Bamboo hardwood flooring, custom builtin cabinets, surround sound, builtin heated pool/spa. Fabulous gourmet kitchen, w/granite countertops and backsplash, 42" custom cabinets w/crown molding, paneled built-in appliances. Offered at $899,000 . Call Michael 239-777-0473

Visit www.CoconutPointRealty.com for Additional Pictures of These & Other SW

Website owned and maintained by Michael Burke of Jo urke

Your Newspaper
C4121 2 Bed + Den, 2 bath, 2-car attached garage, 2060 under air, 2790 total sf. Carriage home stylishly decorated w/ceramic tile on diagonal, solid surface counter tops, tall kitchen cabinets, wet bar. Fantastic lake views from most rooms. Offered at $389,900. Michael Burke

PAGE

lB Burke, xu Home Expert xury


H.3112 3 Bed+Den, 2.5 bath, 2483 under air, 4357 total sq ft. Ceramic tile in main living areas, high ceilings, archways throughout. Kitchen w/granite counters, raised cabinets & crown molding, stateof-the- art stainless appliances, attractive curved breakfast bar overlooking Nook & Great Room. Lanai w/heated pool/spa, built-in flower beds w/private serene view of wooded area at $569,000 Call Michael 239-777-0473 C.4581 3 Bed, 3.5 bath, 3145 unH.3734 - 2 bed+Den/2 bath, 1727 sf., furnished carriage home in der air, 5454 total sq ft. Courtyard private, gated golfing community. home, with numerous upgrades & Vaulted ceilings, tile in main living detail thru-out. Formal living & dinareas, carpet. Comfortable living ing room, tile flooring, tray ceilings, room w/fantastic view of the lake gourmet kitchen w/granite, 42 cabi& golf course. Centrally located nets, paneled appliance, custom iscommunity, within minutes from land. Spectacular courtyard bedroom airport, FGCU, new shopping w/large private sitting/living area, bath and entry to courtyard w/heatcenters, fine & casual dining. ed pool & spa. Offered at 699,000. Offered at $249,000 furnished. Call Michael Burke 239-777-0473. Call Michael 239-777-0473 Call Michael 239-777-0473 H.3414 Turnkey, 2 Bed, 2 bed/2 C.5026 -Open floor plan 3 Bath, bath, 1638 under air, 2347 ft. first 1209 under air, 1428 total sq. total sf. Dramatic tile main living areas, floor unit, highinceilings, plantation shutters, neutral tonesdecorative & decorativeniches, winarchways, tile on dow treatments Perfect fordiagonal. the avid Kitchen w/black appliances, golfer, w/views of the golf course/ striking black corian countertops, lake from the living room, lanai & 42" cabinets & Wonderful bunmaster bedroom. crown molding, opens up community, with numerdled golf to the great room w/large ous amenities. Offeredto the lanai sliders leading out at $239,900
Call Michael 239-777-0473 wooded area. Offered at $365,000

Shadow Wood at the Brooks, Bonita Springs

el el@BurkesBeach.com

Call Michael 239-777-0473 C.4252 3 bed, 3 bath, 2910 under air, 3530 total sf. 17th floor decorator ready residence w/ Gulf & Bay views. Exquisite granite counter-tops, custom wood cabinets, marble baths, private elevator, & stunning high ceilings. Located in an upscale private, gated community w/the finest amenities, included. Offered at $895,000

Grandzza, Estero

The Colony - Palermo , Bonita Springs

Call Michael 239-777-0473

Grandzza, Estero Grandzza, Estero

C.3595 - 3 Bed, 2 bath, 2190 under air, 3236 total sq. ft open great room floor plan. Open kitchen w/granite counters, upgraded cabinets. Plantation shutters, decorative ceiling fans, 12' ceilings, living room w/stunning full wall of glass sliders leading out to the tropical lanai w/heated builtin pool and spa. Offered at $495,000. Call Michael 239-777-0473

Grandzza, Estero

Spring Run, Bonita Springs Savona, Estero

w/fantastic

views

of

private

Call Michael 239-777-0473


H3620 - Bed+Den, 4.5 bath, 4068 C.4356 beautiful designer decorated 4Bed+Den, 4.5 bath, 3495 under air, under air, 4988 total sf. decorator 4867total sq. ft. Estate home w/countready residence on diagonal, tray lessupgrades. Tile in an exclusive community lighting, window treatceilings,rope w/panoramic views of the Gulf & Bay. Private elevator, ments. Formalliving, dining room & den w/double doorentry w/stunning built-in. vestibule, tray ceilings/crown Gourmetkitchen, built-in appliances. 42 molding. Kitchen w/built-in cabinetsw/crown molding, familygranite roomw/ stainless appliances, expansive corner sliders opens theroom countertops, custom 42" cabinets. to the lanai w/tropical woodedviews beMaster suite w/private entry to yond. Built-in pool/spa & grill,w/sepaterrace suite entry w/privatebath off rate guest& marble baths. Offered at $1,265,000.00 the lanai. Offered at $999,000. Call Michael 239-777-0473 Call Michael 239-777-0473 H3630 -home on2this large lot on the estate 2+Den, bath, 2000 under air, 3627 total sq. ft. Faux finishes, window 10th fairway in this exclusive treatments, chair railings, crown molding, golfing community, w/two golf tile, hardwood floors.. endless upgrades. courses designed by Nicklaus & Kitchen, granite countertop/backsplash, Player. Private Community offers cabinets w/crown molding. Expansive miles of scenic walking trails, sliders from great room to lanai w/builtbiking paths, parks gardens, 47,000 in pool w/tropical views & lake beyond. sf clubhouse, Offered at $459,900. Har-Tru tennis Call Michael ACE Group Classic & hosted the 239-777-0473

H.3298 4+Den, 4.5 bath, 3-car, 5196, 8916 total sf, custom estate home. Arches, columns, volume ceilings w/ triple trays, crown molding, coffered ceilings. Gourmet kitchen w/ built-in stainless appliances, decorative range hood, granite counter-tops. Lanai w/columns, custom pool/ spa, waterfalls, fountains, sunning shelf, gazebo w/fire pit & fireplace Offered at $2,150,000. Call Michael 239-777-0473
20135 - 3 Bed+Den, total sq. ft. top under air, 1733 2 bath, 2207 under air, 4027 total sq. ft. Tile on difloor unit w/fantastic lake views. agonal, window treatments, accented Mediterranean architecture in this painted walls, tray ceilings w/crown upscale, urban living condo only molding, stunning archways thru-out. Gourmet kitchen, 42 raised pan- & steps from shopping, dining eled cabinets, pantry w/wine Included cooler, movie theatres. nook w/mitered glass. Great private w/granite, marble countertops, guest suite w/bath leading to the large ceramic tile, hurricane impact lanai w/built-in pool. Offered at windows. $489,000. All this for $528,888. Call Michael 239-777-0473

Shadow Wood at the Brooks, Bonita Springs

Grandzza, Estero The Colony - LaScala , Bonita Springs

C.3636 - 3 bed, 2 baths, 1489

Grandezza, Estero Residences at Coconut Point, Bonita Springs

Call Michael 239-777-0473

L.680 Build your own custom

Grandzza, Estero Twin Eagles-Hedgestone, Naples

courts, fitness club, dining and has PGA Champions Tour! Offered at $149,000. Call Michael 239-777-0473

H.2908 Spectacular open great room floor plan, with 3 Bed+Den, 3 bath, 2939 under air, 3925 total sq ft. Many added touches in this designer decorated home for a casual lifestyle with custom features throughout. Enjoy the kitchen w/state-of-the-art built-in appliances, 42" wood cabinetry, granite counter tops. Offered at $1,049,000 w/custom pool w/views of a lake, golf course and woods located in a private gated community. Call Michael 239-777-0473

Grandzza, Estero

WF Florida Homes or Call Michael Burke 239-777-0473 for Additional Information

ohn R. Wood REALTORS, Bonita Springs, FL 34134

Page 10

Your Newspaper

January 2009

Do It Yourself ProjeCt corner sink maximizes space in your kitchen


various work areas and appliances, a corner space might move the sink into a more practical distance from those other areas or just work better in the workspace triangle. A variety of designs and materials are available today for corner sinks. Rectangular or triangular sinks are particularly practical and offer an original, stylish look that can upgrade a kitchen with otherwise conventional features. German sink manufacturer Blanco offers a range of European-style corner sinks in premium stainless steel and Silgranit and generally introduces new models every year. This spring, says Alexandra Marshall, director of marketing with Blanco, were launching a new corner sink in Silgranit, our line of natural granite sinks. Called the Metra, it features two bowls and a drainboard in durable natural granite. The company also offers triangular-style corner sinks in stainless steel or Silgranit. Our corner sinks are available in either premium stainless steel or Silgranit in the color Anthracite, adds Ms. Marshall. There are also matching colored faucets for our granite sinks for those who want to create a unique dramatic focal point in the kitchen. A range of corner sink options can be seen online at www.blancocanada.com.

Repot and Rejoice


unleash the Glamorous looks of supermarket Daffodils and tulips

(NC)-Kitchen designers dont typically suggest a corner sink unless you ask for it. But its a good idea to ask as it might be right for your kitchen. In any case, its important to select your kitchen sink early in the kitchen design process. Do you want a large sink to accommodate big pots and pans? Then that will determine your cabinet size and design. Or, could a corner sink maximize space and create a more interesting layout? Then you need to decide before selecting cabinets as a special cabinet will be needed and you will have to consider plumbing placement as well. A corner sink can serve as a stunning focal point in the kitchen as well as maximize work space. If your kitchen is U- or L-shaped, or generally space-challenged, then a corner kitchen sink could be an excellent solution. Putting your sink into an awkward corner that wouldnt otherwise get much use frees up valuable straight runs of counter. Depending on the layout of the rest of the room and your

Flowers found in the grocery floral department can seem a bit dull at first. But with a few strategic moves you can turn everyday flowers from dowdy to delicious Supermarket flowers are the movie librarians of the world. (You know the scene, shes frumpy at first glance, but remove her glasses, let down her hair and she transforms into a ravishing beauty.) Basically, theres nothing wrong with supermarket flowers. Like the Technicolor librarian, its the presentation thats all wrong. Start with those rather sadlooking plastic pots, for example. They may be perfect for commercial nurseries, but something snappier might better suit your home. In fact, you can doll up those duds by simply changing or camouflaging the plastic pot. The first strategy is double-potting. Its easy to do. Simply slide the grocery plant, plastic pot and all, into a second, prettier, pot with a drainage hole and saucer (or any old plate) to protect tabletops from moisture. A second option is to actually replant the grocery plant into the prettier pot you have at home. Depending on the size of the new pot, you may need to add a bit of extra potting soil to make your little supermarket plant feel cozy in its new home. For a more fashionable upgrade, pick up three of the same kind of plant and repot all three together into one larger, prettier, container you own. By grouping multiple small plantings into one larger assembly, you create a more dramatic result. Now more lush and full, this planting will look like you paid a mint, plus a larger pot wont dry out so fast and thus the flowers tend to last even longer. If re-potting isnt for you, consider the venerable cachepot. The word comes from the French phrase for hidden pot. Choose a decorative pot only slightly larger than the plastic pot you wish to conceal, no drainage hole necessary. Just slip the plastic nursery pot (as is) into its new, tonier digs and voila! The best thing about double-potting and the cachepot approach is that, once you have a few perfectly-sized containers on hand, you can fill and refill them with fresh supermarket plants all winter long. Just pick up new pots of hyacinths or daffodils every few weeks to replace any that are fading.

Portable Heaters

Help Cut Heating Bills


If lowering your thermostat makes you feel chilled, consider using portable heaters, which allow you to heat the rooms that you use, rather than the whole house. With portable heaters, consumers can save hundreds of dollars annually -an entire oil or gas bill for many homeowners. To see how much money portable heaters could save you this winter, log onto www.honeywellheatsavings.com. The site also provides safety tips and additional energysavings guides. What type of portable heater will best suit you? First, decide what rooms you want to heat. The rooms size will help you choose the most effective heater. Next, determine if you want personal warmth or to heat the whole room. Also, decide where you want to put your heater - on the table or on the floor. At the store you can evaluate the different types of heaters on the market - ceramic, baseboard, fan-forced, radiator and quartz/carbon - to determine the type of portable heater thats best for you. You should also check out the safety features. Extra safety features, like the ones included in the Honeywell Safety Matters Program help ensure your familys safety. As with all common household appliances, be sure to read the manufacturers safety tips and owners manual prior to use.

(NUI) - With rising food costs and fluctuating gas and energy prices, many of us feel the pinch in our wallets and bank accounts. How can we stay warm without breaking the bank? According to the Alliance to Save Energy organization, lowering your thermostat one degree saves you 4 percent in heating costs. If every household turned their thermostat down just 2 degrees, each home could save 8 percent in heating costs. With the money saved from lowering thermostats 2 degrees, we could collectively: Feed 11.6 million families of four - or the entire population of New York City and Chicago for four years. Fuel 8.4 million cars for one year. Cover four years of public or state college expenses, including tuition, room and board, for 237,000 students.

January 2009

Your Newspaper

Page 11

Get an Adult
even with the kids
By Jane Stokes

New Years Resolutions

For Your Car

movies-on-the-beach - and the one-of-a-kind specialty programs like film-making, acting, singing and other performance arts - dont be too surprised if you never see them again! And you? Indeed, for all adults, Club Med is legendary for its barefoot mixing and mingling - and for its upscale entertainment, recreation, sports instruction, menu choice, and especially for its late night fun. Spend your days sipping pina coladas under swaying palms on Punta Canas bleach-white beach. Or, simply disappear for hours on end. The new Spa here features an infinity pool, a Zen lounge, and it has eight treatment rooms, including a secluded one for a couples massage. (NC)-Not everyone gets a break on a family vacationParents, especially moms, still have to care for their newborns, supervise their toddlers, watch their school age rascals, and keep at least one eye on the activities of their teens and tweens. The only way a parent can actually rest and rejuvenate is to choose a resort that does all this supervising for you. We say, start with www.clubmed.ca, says Christine Dicaire, spokesperson for the vacation company. For example, at the totally refurbished, Club Med Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, even infants from four months old enjoy programs with fully trained professionals. Its a new facility we call, Baby Club Med. This utterly doting service for babies gives parents any amount of freedom they seek. Or, if you have 2and 3-year-olds, the Petit Club Med engages them in a full array of age-specific activities, and the Mini Club Med does the same for children aged 4 to 10. Teens and tweens are fully supervised too in Club Med Passworld, the coolest club of them all. So parents beware, Dicaire continued, when you consider your teens excitement over unlimited sports, and watersports, plus the excursions, hiking, picnics,

Oversize Suites And if by chance you are a family that requires a lot of space, ask to be accommodated in a Family Suite. These 775 square-foot, oceanfront bungalows feature two bedrooms, premium amenities and services, access to an exclusive infinity pool, and a 95 square-foot deck. Says Christine Dicaire: You may think your family needs a lot of space, but the excitement of sharing your own private place on the beach, actually promotes togetherness.

Still unsure about the value of travel insurance?


(NC) - Consider these questions: How much money would you lose if you had to cancel or interrupt your trip unexpectedly? How much would you have to pay for a oneway, last minute ticket home? If you became ill or injured, would your emergency medical expenses be covered? Would you have to pay these costs up front? Would your hotel and meal expenses be paid if you had to stay at your destination longer than expected? Who would you call if you were faced with a medical emergency in a foreign country?

( NUI) - New Years resolutions can be about more than shedding a few pounds and exercising more. Simply changing a few habits can help your vehicle last longer, command a higher resale price, pollute less and burn less gasoline. Heres helpful advice from the experts at the non-profit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), the group that tests and certifies automotive technicians: Clean out your vehicle: Remove unnecessary items from the passenger cabin and the trunk; less weight means youll use less gasoline. Remove that rooftop cargo carrier when youre finished hauling youll cut down on gas-hogging wind resistance. Check your tires pressure once a month: Tires with low pressure cause the engine to work harder and to burn more gasoline to move the vehicle. Poorly aligned wheels and improperly inflated tires also wear out faster, costing you money in replacements. Follow your carmakers recommended service intervals: A neglected vehicle burns more gas and will break down more often than well-maintained machines. The owners manual spells out which systems need servicing and when. Fouled spark plugs and clogged filters waste gasoline: Routine oil changes will keep your vehicle from aging before its time. If you notice changes in engine performance, like rough idling or poor accelerations, you are due for a visit to the shop. Resolve to become a better driver: Avoid jackrabbit starts - sudden accelerations waste fuel and strain the engine. Speeding greatly decreases miles per gallon, so drive the speed limit. When possible, use cruise control to maintain a steady pace. Aggressive hard starts and stops wear your brakes out faster. Finally, consolidate your errands to minimize short trips. Look for high-quality repair shops: ASE was founded as a non-profit, independent organization dedicated to improving the quality of automotive service and repair through the voluntary testing and certification of automotive technicians. ASEcertified professionals wear blue and white shoulder insignia and carry credentials listing their areas of expertise. Their employers often display the blue and white ASE sign. Visit www.ase.com for seasonal car-care tips and more information.

Page 12

Your Newspaper

January 2009

Check out page 4 for more delicious recipes

1-Dish Cheeseburger Bake


Serves 6

Cranapple Meringue Pie


Prep Time: 60 minutes Cook Time: 10 to 12 minutes Yield: 1 pie 1 cup sugar 1/2 cup White Corn Syrup 1/2 cup water 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 3 cooking apples, peeled, cut in 1cm/1/2-inch cubes (about 3 cups) 2 cups cranberries, fresh or frozen 1/4 cup Corn Starch 3 tablespoons cold water 1 (23cm/9-inch) baked pie crust 2 egg whites 1/4 cup White Corn Syrup

Prep Time: 20 minutes Bake Time: 30 minutes

Meat

Maple Glazed Asparagus Bundles


Serves 8 1 large bunch of asparagus, about 24 to 32 spears, trimmed 1/2 red pepper, sliced into long, thin strips 8 slices trimmed, thinly sliced black forest ham or prosciutto, about 4 oz 1/3 cup Diana Sauce, Maple flavor 2 tsp coarsely cracked mixed peppercorns 2 tsp lemon zest 1 tbsp each lemon juice and melted butter Directions: Blanch the asparagus in boiling salted water for 3 minutes. Rinse under cold running water until cool. Drain well and pat dry. Divide the asparagus into 8 bundles. Add a few strips of red pepper to each bundle. Wrap the ham tightly around the base of the asparagus. Secure each bundle firmly together with a toothpick. Stir the sauce with the lemon zest, juice and butter. Brush half of the sauce over the bundles. Sprinkle the prosciutto evenly with cracked pepper. Grill the bundles for 2 minutes on a grill pan. Turn and brush with remaining sauce. Grill for 2 minutes, turning as needed, until vegetables are marked and prosciutto is crisp. Remove the toothpicks before serving. Tip If you would rather use the oven, bundles can be baked until ham or prosciutto is crisp. To make ahead, assemble the bundles and store in a Freezer Bag until ready to brush and grill.

1 lb. ground beef 1/2 cup diced onion, fresh OR frozen 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon Black Pepper

Batter

Mazola Simplicity Cooking Spray 1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour 2 envelopes Fleischmanns Quick Rise Yeast 2 teaspoons sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup very warm water (120 to 130F) 2 tablespoons Mazola Corn Oil

Directions:

Toppings

1. Combine sugar, 1/2 cup corn syrup, 1/2 cup water and cinnamon in saucepan. Add apples. Cook over medium-high heat for 10 minutes. Add cranberries and cook 10 minutes longer or until cranberry skins pop. 2. Mix corn starch and 3 tablespoons water in a small bowl until smooth. Add to cranberry mixture. Stirring constantly, bring to a boil over medium heat and boil 1 minute. Cool to room temperature. Spoon into pie crust. 3. Preheat oven to 425F/220C. 4. Beat egg whites in a small bowl with mixer at high speed until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in 1/4 cup corn syrup; continue beating until stiff peaks form. Pipe meringue in lattice fashion over cranberry mixture. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until meringue is lightly browned.

1/3 cup Thousand Island salad dressing 8 pickle slices OR 1-1/2 tablespoons relish ketchup and mustard, to taste 6 slices Cheddar cheese 1/2 teaspoon Sesame Seeds (optional)

Directions:

BROWN ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking up beef with a spoon as it cooks. Add onion, salt and pepper; cook until almost tender (about 3 to 4 minutes). Remove from heat; drain if necessary. MIX batter ingredients in a pre-sprayed 9-1/2-inch deep dish pie plate while meat browns. TOP batter with salad dressing, followed by the cooked meat mixture; spread evenly over surface of dough. Layer with pickles, ketchup, mustard and cheese slices. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, if desired. BAKE by placing in a COLD oven; turn oven to 350F. Bake for 30 minutes or until done.

Your Newspaper

PAGE

13

26269 South Tamiami Trail Bonita Springs, FL 34134

recent Closings forfor the Greater Coconut Pointarea -- 11/10/2008to 10/15/2008 Recent Closings the Greater Coconut Point Area 9/15/2008 to 12/10/2008
addreSS
23320 Copperleaf Blvd 23931 Amalfi Coast Rd #113 23163 Foxberry Ln 10492 Autumn Breeze Dr #202 23224 Oakglen Ln 9255 Oak Strand DR 23132 Oakglen Ln 9231 Spring Run Blvd, #2109 9060 Spring Run Blvd, #209 20220 Calice Ct, #304 20121 Saraceno Dr 20088 Buttermere Ct 20088 Seadale Ct 24420 Reserve Ct #103 3551 Lakemont Dr. 25071 Ballycastle Ct W #103 23650 ViaVeneto Blvd, #2101 23540 ViaVeneto Blvd, #1904 23750 Viatrevi Way #304 23850 Viaitalia Cir #2004 29101 Brendisi WAY, #202 10834 Est Cortile Ct 15505 Monterosso Ln, #101 15536 Monterosso Ln, #201
Bedrooms Full Bath half Bath living area year Built Private Pool Private Spa list Price Selling Price Cost/ Sq. Ft. % of asking Closed date dom

d. Michael Burke P.A. D. michael Burke P.a. 239.777.0473 239.777.0473 michael@BurkesBeach.com Michael@BurkesBeach.com
3+Den 3 Bed 3+Den 3 Bed 3 Bed 3 Bed 3 Bed 2+Den 2+Den 2+Den 2+Den 4+Den 3 Bed 3 Bed 3 Bed 2+Den 3 Bed 3 Bed 3+Den 3 Bed 3+Den 4+Den 3+Den 3+Den 3 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 3 2 3 3 3 3 3 4 3 3 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 2090 1844 2580 2040 1982 2000 2000 1558 1558 2150 1875 3021 1800 1657 2642 1808 2818 1791 3099 2086 2873 4124 2503 2685 2001 2002 2001 2004 2001 2000 2001 2001 1998 2002 2003 2002 2004 1994 1995 1997 2001 2006 2004 2007 2006 2006 2002 2002 Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes No No No Yes Yes Yes No Yes No No No No No No Yes No No Yes No No No No No No No No No No Yes Yes No Yes No No No No No No Yes No No

Community COPPERLEAF
Sage Meadow Lighthouse Bay

LIGHTHOUSE BAY AT THE BROOKS SHADOWWOOD AT THE BROOKS


Tamarind Trace Oak Hammock II Laurel Meadow Oak Strand Laurel Meadow Winding Stream Streamside Oakwood Saraceno Cypress Cove Cypress Cove

$529,500 $329,900 $750,000 $375,000 $469,000 $535,000 $475,000 $295,900 $315,000 $325,000 $424,900 $975,000 $399,900 $309,000 $699,900 $299,900 $849,000 $659,900 $899,900 $845,000 $699,000 $2,750,000 $699,000 $795,000

$499,000 $300,000 $715,000 $350,000 $435,000 $495,000 $460,000 $285,000 $280,000 $310,000 $395,000 $700,000 $375,000 $236,000 $620,000 $275,000 $700,000 $580,000 $899,900 $775,000 $655,000 $2,200,000 $610,000 $742,500

$239 $163 $277 $172 $219 $248 $230 $183 $180 $144 $211 $232 $208 $142 $235 $152 $248 $324 $290 $372 $228 $533 $244 $277

94.24% 90.94% 95.33% 93.33% 92.75% 92.52% 96.84% 96.32% 88.89% 95.38% 92.96% 71.79% 93.77% 76.38% 88.58% 91.70% 82.45% 87.89% 100.00% 91.72% 93.71% 80.00% 87.27% 93.40%

18-Sep-08 3-Oct-08 8-Oct-08 30-Sep-08 30-Sep-08 29-Sep-08 19-Sep-08 24-Sep-08 16-Sep-08 10-Oct-08 9-Oct-08 7-Oct-08 15-Sep-08 3-Oct-08 29-Sep-08 19-Sep-08 10-Oct-08 1-Oct-08 17-Sep-08 15-Sep-08 2-Oct-08 25-Sep-08 18-Sep-08 16-Sep-08

106 109 72 85 231 334 143 140 244 488 175 482 208 261 258 87 257 154 282 555 231 336 302

SPING RUN AT THE BROOKS GRANDEZZA

PELICAN LANDING
Reserve at Pelica Landing Pelica Landing Southbridge

THE COLONY

Sorrento Navona at the Colony Treviso at the Colony Florencia

MEDITERRA
Brendisi Cortile Monterosso Monterosso

To view more closed details visit www.CoconutPointRealty.com and click on Market Reports

Jazz Jams: (Bonita Springs) bonita Coast University. Ft. Myers, naples springs, estero, For more downtown Naples, 5th Ave. Nov 20, 6-9pm. Enjoy smooth information call 239 263-8242. Annual celebration, paintings, sounds of local Cahlua & Broadway Palm Dinner sculptures & crafts of local Cream in the JamS: Theater: artists, complete third: booths Sunday Jazz center courtyard art Fair(Ft. Myers) thurSday on w/food of The Promenade. Located at 1380 Colonial Blvd. & live musicians. For more (Bonita Springs) (Ft. Myers) (Naples) Estero Feb Art Show: Enjoy For more info & fine arts fair Jan 15/Feb call 239 472-3755. Jan 25, Fine22, 1-4pm. (Estero) Jan 3-4, 10am5pm shows visit information 19, 6-9pm. Enjoy Nov sounds jazz located 16, located at the Bell Tower Shops. Historic other entertainment in www.broadwaypalm.com/home music & Old Naples Walking smooth15, 10am-5pm & in 11am-5pm. Artist from around .htm or call (239) 278-4422 Tours: (Naples) The Promenade in the center the center of historic Naples. the country Canada GulF CoaSt Mann Center Nov 5, 12, 19 & 26/Dec 3, 10, Barbara B. town Theatre: of the courtyard. & exhibit/sell their art works, plus (Ft. Myers) (Ft. Myers) 17, 24 & 31, 10am at Palm Farmers market: live entertainment thru-out For more info & listing national art FeStival the 8-10pm Weekend Concert of Cottage 137 12th Ave. South, (Naples) weekend. Located at the Series visit, www.bbmannpah 261-8164 shows, (reservations (Bonita Springs) Every Saturday morning from southest side of Miromar Mall .com/index.php or call (239) required) Jan 10-11, 10am-5pm, located 7:30am-11:30am Featuring at the Promenade. Featuring nearly 50 Palm Located at 10801 Corkscrew Rd. Cost: Broadway800-440-7469. 481-4849 or Palm dinner Historic vendors. Cottage & artworks of National and theater: Festival: (Naples) Norris Tommy Bahamas. behind Gardens: (Naples) Free. Old Florida International artists. (Ft. Myers) Germain Arena: (Estero) Nov 1, 2. Indoor/outdoor Nov 1-29/Dec 2-31, open Tues naPleS trolley tourS: (239) 948-7825 or visit Located at 1380 Colonial Blvd.of & Sat 1-4pm. (239) 261-8164. festival celebrating history FarmerS market (Naples) www.GermainArena.com for For more info & showsw/pirates, Thursday on Third: (Naples) Florida. Complete visit (Bonita Springs) Everblades tickets & other www.broadwaypalm.com/home. Nov 20/Dec 4, 11 & 18, 6-9pm. conquerors & early settlers. 1010 Sixth Ave. S, 262-7300. Every Saturday morning from htm or call (239) 278-4422 live Enjoy town & shop& See the music from other shows. Refreshments & 7am-12pm, locatedtheThe quaint trolleys. Holiday House at in Edison & entertainment. For further entertainment. Promenade. Estates: (Ft Myers) BarBara B. mann774-8476. Ford Winter Farm-fresh information call 239 Farmers Market: (Naples) vegetables,-baked goods, PhilharmoniC Center: Nov 30 Dec 31 (closed theatre: Lights: (Naples) Festival of Nov 15, 22 & 29/Dec 6, 13, 20 frozen fish, cut flowers, plus at (Ft. Myers) (Naples) Christmas Eve). Located Nov 24, 5-9pm. Third Street & 27. 7:30am-11:30am Featurmuch more. 2350 McGregor Blvd. For more info & listing of shows, ing nearly 50 vendors. Located South welcomes 32nd annual Located at 5833 Pelican Bay. For more info and current Featuring wonderful visit, www.bbmannpah.com/ tree lighting ceremony behind Tommy Bahamas. Germain arena: index.php or call (239) 481-4849 Naples visit www.philtickets. decorations throughout the w/community & national shows Trolley Tours: (Naples) (Estero) art/craft exhibits, book or 800org/tickets/index.aspx or call Estates, entertainment, snow & 1010 Sixth Ave. S, 262-7300. Jan 15-19 demonstrations, music 440-7469. (239) 597-1900 & signings, Ringling Brothers, shopping. See the town or shop from Barnum & Bailey Circus. Feb (800) trolleys. & dance performances. For Celebration of Lights: (Naples) quaint597-1900 26, 7pm Harlem Globetrotters. hiStoriC Palm & 29, 6-9pm. Philharmonic CottaGe & further information call 239 Nov 25, 26, 28 Center: For further or visit www.edison- norriS GardenS: 334-7419 information & for Third Street South continues to (Naples) Located at 5833 Everblades tickets & other (Naples) ford-estate.com. entertainment w/music & snow Pelican Bay. For more info and shows call (239) Sale: (Ft Myers) Jan 6-31, Tues-Sat 1-4pm. 948-7825 or Holiday Pottery each night. current shows visit visit www.GermainArena.com. First week December. (239) Years Weekend Art Fair: www.philtickets.org/tickets/ind New 261-8164. Exhibition & sales local pottery (Naples) ex.aspx or call (239) 597-1900 & other crafts at Florida Gulf Last week in December in or (800) 597-1900

Nov./Dec. Events 2008 eventsSprings, Estero, Ft. Myers, Naples Bonita Jan/Feb 2009

This report and data is based on information from the Multiple Listing Service of Bonita Springs-Estero, Inc. These properties were not all listed or sold by John R. Wood Realtors Inc. and were listed or sold by various MLS participating offices. Website owned and maintained by Michael Burke of John R. Wood REALTORS, Bonita Springs, FL 34134

Important "239" Numbers


Edison Community College . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .800-749-2322 Florida Gulf Coast University . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .800-590-3428 School District of Lee County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .334-1102 Real Estate Services: Michael Burke P.A., John R. Wood Realtors . . . . . .777-0473 Homestead Exemption - Lee County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .339-6120 Property Appraiser - Lee County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .339-6100 Social Security . . . . . . . . 800-772-1213 Southwest Florida Int'l Airport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .590-4800 Transportation: Airport Shuttle Service . . . . . .216-7777 Greyhound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .334-1011 Lee County Bus Transit . . . . . .533-8726 U.S. Postal Service (Lee & Collier Counties) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .800-275-8777 Utilities (Lee County): Embarq . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .866-304-6820 Electric - Florida Power and Light . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .800-262-1322 Florida Recycling & Waste . . .332-8500 Gas Service - Teco (Peoples Gas) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .877-932-6747 Solid Waste - Lee County . . . .338-3302 Telephone - Sprint (Bonita) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .800-699-0728 Telephone - Sprint (Lee County) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .800-339-1811 TV Cable - Comcast . . . . .800-432-4770 TV Cable - Time Warner . . . . .574-2020 Water/Sewer - Bonita Springs .992-0711 Water/Sewer - Unincorporated Lee County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .800-485-0214 Veterinarians Florida Veterinary 24-Hour Emergency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .239-992-8878

EMERGENCY - Police, Fire, Medical: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .911 Lee County Ambulance (Non Emergency) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .335-1600 Lee County Sheriff (Non Emergency) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .477-1200 Lee County Emergency Management (Weather & Disaster Spills) . . .477-3600 Poison Control Center . . . .800-282-3171 Hospitals: North Collier Hospital . . . . . . .513-7000 Health Park Hospital . . . . . . . .433-7799 Chamber of Commerce (Local Area): Bonita Springs Area . . . . . . . . .992-2943 Estero Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .948-7990 Library (Local Area): Bonita Public Library . . . . . . .992-1043 Estero South County Regional Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .390-3200 License (Lee County): Animal License . . . . . . . . . . . .432-2083 Boat Registration/Fishing License . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .339-6000 Drivers License . . . . . . . . . . . .278-7192 Vehicle Registration - Lee County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .339-6000 Voters Registration . . . . . . . . .339-6300 Medical (Lee & Collier Counties): Gulf Coast Hospital - Ft. Myers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .768-5000 Lee Memorial Hospital - Ft. Myers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .332-1111 North Collier Hospital (NCH) - Downtown Naples . . . . . . . . .552-7000 North Collier Hospital (NCH) - North Naples . . . . . . . . . . . . .436-5000 Poison Control Center . . . .800-282-3171 Newspaper: Bonita Banner . . . . . . . . . . . . .765-0110 Coconut Point Press . . . . . . . . .777-0473 Ft. Myers News Press . . . . . . .335-0233 Naples Daily News . . . . . . . . .992-3609 Public Schools (Lee County):

Place Your Ad Here

Call Michael 239-777-0473 www.CoconutPointPress.com


20321 Grande Oak Shoppes Blvd., Suite 308 Estero, FL 33928

Page 14

Your Newspaper

January 2009

Five Paths to Time Management Sanity


Courtesy of Priority Learning Link

Time Management isnt rocket science - and these FIVE SIMPLE RULES can help: Keep your meetings rare. Surveys show that most people find meetings a major time waster. Use them sparingly, keep to an agenda, start and end on time. And unless someone is expecting a baby, or using technology is a key part of the meeting, turn off all cellphones and BlackBerries. No passing digital notes. Show your technology who is boss. Most of todays devices and software actually can be set to be less intrusive. You just need to learn how: Switch off the ping that heralds the arrival of an E-mail, create folders into which incoming messages are automatically shunted. When busy, let outgoing messages alert others to when they might reasonably expect to hear back from you. Give yourself a time-out. Devote an hour or more to uninterrupted thinking and planning every day. First thing in the morning is safest, but anytime is good. No

calls, no E-mail, no chitchat. If theres an emergency, someone will come get you, say organization experts. Use this time to think strategically about your work. Say no. Sorry isnt the hardest word--no is. But not saying it to desperate colleagues or harried bosses is the quickest way to overload your schedule and muck up more important goals. Focus first on meeting your stated objectives. Also, consider family and personal time when filling your calendar: Work-centric employees are more likely to report feeling overloaded than those who plan for their personal lives. Delete. Surveys show we waste 20% of our day on nonproductive activities. Cut out or delegate anything on your to-do list that doesnt have long-term consequences for your work. Be ruthless. And while youre at it, dont let a stuffed E-mail in-box sap your will to live. When reviewing each E-mail, make an on-thespot call to delete, file, or reply to each one--even if the response is, Ill get back to you on this later.

There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face. -Ben Williams

A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself. -Josh Billings

Some Observations:
The war between the sexes will never be won. There is too much fraternizing with the enemy! The nice thing about egotists is that they never talk about other people! Hindsight: Sitting on your glasses! The face of a woman can say it all especially the mouth part of the face! There are 2 times when a man doesnt understand a woman - before marriage and after marriage. A womans work that is never done is the stuff she asked her husband to do! Three rabbits in a row hopping backwards simultaneously = A receding hareline! A man getting a divorce = going through the change of wife! Buffet: A French word that means Get up and get it yourself! Always get married early in the morning. That way, if it doesnt work out, you havent wasted the whole day! When life hands you a lemon - make Lemonade!

Thoughts to Ponder

Money will buy a fine dog, but only kindness will make him wag his tail. A good time to keep your mouth shut is when youre in deep water.

Laws of the Universe

CROSSWORD AnSWER

PUZZLE SOLUTIONS

Law of Biomechanics: The severity of the itch is inversely proportional to the reach. Law of the Theatre: At any event, the people whose seats are furthest from the aisle arrive last. .

SUDOKU AnSWER

WUzzLE AnSWERS

The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue. -Anonymous

1. Somewhere Over the Rainbow 2. X Marks the Spot 3. Put two and two Together 4. Just Right 5. I Before E Except After C 6. High Seas

January 2009

Your Newspaper

Page 15

Out-Of-tOwn

ProPerties
Woodstock, NB

For Information On Any Of These Listings Or Other Properties In These Areas Please Call 1-800-330-5709
Naples, FL Bancroft, ON

$1,099,000

$289,000

$598,000

PRICED TO SELL - MUST SEE! Gorgeous & totally remodeled in 2005 Olde Florida style home with water views from every room. Granite in kitchen & bathrooms, stainless & black appliances, new wood cabinetry, new fixtures & new lighting. Also custom painted, plantation shutters, saturnia flooring, & 45 ft. boat dock & lift.

Beautiful 4 bedroom cord log home sitting on approximately 7 acres of waterfront property. Masonry double sided fireplace provides heat for both levels. Lower level has open concept kitchen, living room and dining area. Upper level has 4 bedrooms, master ensuite, full bath and laundry room. New 2 storey 2 car garage.

Beautiful Waterfront Home Rustic appeal, wood interior, catherdral ceilings, stone fireplace with propane insert, hardwood & ceramic floors, open concept, walkout basement with large rec room, 3 car garage and adorable bunkie

Chestetmere, AB

$1,375,000

Grandzza, Estero FL

$849,000

Malagash, NS

$695,000

This 1.5 storey, custom designed home has near 3600 sq. ft. to love. With all of the main living areas facing the lake you will always feel like you are on vacation. Natural sand lake bed for great swimming at this location. The main floor has new Brazilian cherry hardwood, a den, bedroom, large dining room, great room, nook, generous kitchen, 3 piece bath and bright laundry room. The walkout has a large rumpus room with view of the lake, 2 bedrooms 1 with 2 piece bath, and a separate 3 piece bath. This home is only 15 miles from downtown Calgary!

4 Bed, 3 bath 2493 under air, 4901 total sq. ft. Former model w/spectacular upgrades. Beautifully designer decorated, tray ceilings w/crown molding, plantation shutters, window treatments & faux finishes thru-out. Gourmet kitchen, w/center island, 42 cherry cabinets. Large lanai, heated built-in pool & spa & breathtaking views of a natural tropical preserve & lake.

Gorgeous Ocean Front 5 Br, 2 full - 2 half bath stone house (local stone!) 200 +/- ft. of sandy beach and 10 +/- Acres, (lot 1 and 2). Located near 2 world class golf courses, 4 deep water marinas, ski slope and Govt. Wharf. Main floor Mbr w/ ensuite & walk in closet, hardwood floors, curved oak staircase, central vac, fenced gardens and attached double garage!

Kingston, ON

Calgary, AB

$299,000

$263,000

Mississauga, ON

$1,795,000

Beautiful family home, backing onto greenspace, 4 + 1 bdrms, 4 baths, hrdwd flooring, newer windows, custom kitchen w/island, cook station & cork flooring. Master ensuite w/jaccuzzi & in floor heating. Double car garage & nicely landscaped.

TOP FLOOR condo located in the GATED community of LAKE BONAVISTA ESTATES II! Nine Foot Ceilings, IN-FLOOR Heating, Gas FIREPLACE, Large Windows and Balcony. Insuite Laundry, Titled Heated & Underground Parking Incl. FIRST CLASS AMENITIES Clubhouse, Fitness Centre, Theatre Room plus Guest Suites and Carwash!!!

This stunning executive home on a court in coveted Lorne Park Watercolours community features over $600k in beautiful upgrades and improvements! The premium, private, west-facing, treed lot of 0.65 acres includes greenbelt. The fully landscaped property boasts an in-ground salt-water pool with cabana. If the exterior is not luxurious enough to pique your interest, take a look inside at over 5000 square feet of finished living space, including a finished basement with walkout. The stainless steel premium appliances see form and function meet for a truly dazzling home.

Wasaga Beach, ON

Vancouver, BC

$399,000

$364,900

Toronto, ON

$459,900

Remodeled Century Home on one of the most desirable streets. This all brick home has been lavishly redone including new kitchen & bathrooms, new 125 amp service and all new plumbing. The lovely oversized front porch makes this home still have the old world feel.

What a terrific starter home, centrally located in Burnaby near Edmonds & Kingsway! Laminate floors on the main and tile in kitchen and bathrooms means it is easy to keep this home clean. This lovely townhome also features a bright open kitchen with shiny stainless steel appliances too! The living is easy at Maplewood Terrace!

Totally renovated store with large 3 bdrm. Apartment, roof top patio & built in garage. A great neighbourhood with many organic stores, cafes and boutiques. A great place to live and work. Includes electric light fixtures, fridge, stove & washer & dryer in 2nd floor apartment.

For InFormatIon on any oF these LIstIngs or other ProPertIes In these areas PLease CaLL

1-800-330-5709

Listings on this page are selected by the publisher and not by any individual Realtor, Agent or Broker

239-948-1147 McClain Home Inspection, LLC lifestyles


& Home Watch Service
C H I R O P R A C T I C

Dr. Todd E. Wickmann Chiropractic Physician Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician Certified Athletic Trainer Titleist Performance Institute Certified
1 2

Home Inspections from $199.00 Home Watch Service from $20.00/mo. Web Site: www.grmcclain.com Email: glenn@grmcclain.com Certified Home Inspector

Whole Body Whole Family Whole Life

So you can enjoy your pool!

11300 Lindbergh Blvd., Suite #107 Fort Myers, FL 33913 239.334.9355 Fax: 239.334.9358 lifestyleschiro@earthlink.net www.lifestyleschiro.com

1. Golf Examination 2. Golf Exam and Exercise to Go 3. Exam and In-office Exercise Instruction

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$3.00 Off

with this Ad

All Men Receive $5.00 Off And A Coupon For a


Free Draft Beer (#3, #4, OR #5 WASH PACKAGE)

MANLY DAY

Breakfast Brunch Lunch Dinner


Come join us on Saturday Nights for our

...amazing Gourmet Wine Dinner


Reservations required

M-F - 8:00AM - 10:00PM Sat - 8:00AM - 3:00PM (reopen @ 7:00PM) Sun - 10:00AM - 2:00PM

Available for private parties Call 239.948.2216


Early Bird Specials starting at $8.95

Visit our Website: www. Caf-Bonaparte.com

Michael Burke, SW Florida s Luxury Home Expert


239-777-0473 / Michael@BurkesBeach.com www.CoconutPointRealty.com
Website owned and maintained by Michael Burke of John R. Wood REALTORS, Bonita Springs, FL 34134

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