Bonita Springs Government, Parks and Utilities

Leadership Bonita students 2011-2012, sponsored by Bonita Springs Chamber of Commerce, were treated to a few inside tours of several facilities in town such as Bonita Springs Utilities, Bonita Springs Parks and Recreation, Bonita Springs Code Enforcement and Bonita Springs City Hall.

Bonita Springs Utilities: Some interesting things that most Bonita Springs residents do not know is that Bonita Springs has a state of the art water treatment facility.  Water treatment at Bonita Springs Utilities is so advanced that government committees from around the world have toured the Bonita Springs facility so they can implement the system.  Apparently, the Bonita Springs Utilities have won a few taste test for best tasting water, also. 

Bonita Springs Parks Department: The Leadership Bonita tour continued to Lee Parks and Recreation on Pine Avenue in Bonita Springs, Florida.  As a long time resident, I’ve personally watched the facility grow.  Currently, the facility offers a community pool, ball fields, a full skate park, indoor basketball hoops, a full fitness center, after school programs, disc golf (nineteen holes, baskets?) and scheduled activities, and more.

Bonita Springs Code Enforcement:  Located in the historic Liles Hotel but of course most code enforcement happens on call.  Bonita Springs code enforcement is a means to protect the public from dangers and nuisances.  Other calls Bonita Springs Code Enforcement responds to is unmowed lawns and fields, dilapidated housing and structures, sign ordinance violations, misused of real estate against zoning and of course dangerous situations that fall under code violations.

Bonita Springs Government – Bonita Springs City Hall:  The better part of the afternoon was spent at Bonita Springs city hall on Bonita Beach Road. Guest speakers included State Representative Trudi Williams, Mayor Ben Nelson, City Manager Carl Schwing and consultant Joe Mazurkiewicz.  The speakers covered the gamut of city planning, business, budgeting, infrastructure.

It’s an incredible opportunity to see the behind the scenes workings of the major components of Bonita Springs Government and the sister components that residents of Bonita Springs depend upon for day to day usage, from running water to after school programs at the park. 

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This post is part of a series written over the 2011-2012 year documenting the Leadership Bonita Program.  Other chapters are below in chronological order: 

• Leadership Bonita | Bonita Springs Chamber of Commerce

• Leadership Bonita | The Retreat

• Leadership Bonita | Economic Development

• Leadership Bonita | Government in Bonita Springs, Fl

Economic Development, Industry & Business in SWFL

The most amazing discovery during the economic development segment of Leadership Bonita was the number of organizations in southwest Florida who offer advice, guidance and incentives for bringing business and industry to Southwest Florida, Lee County and the city of Bonita springs, Florida.

A day full of economic development experts speaking all day is overwhelming.  Since I didn’t have my tablet I jotted down URL’s in my smart phone and took every flyer or pamphlet anyone offered.

Boiling down economic development and the position of businesses or business owners is impossible after a deluge of information like that.  What I came away with is how important it is for a business owner or a person developing a business thinking of moving to the area to get in contact with the Bonita Springs Chamber of Commerce. 

Many of the available incentives have specific guidelines and deadlines.  For example, there could be grants, abatement programs or other financial incentives for business to move to Lee County or Bonita Springs but you may need to approach the right organization prior to the move, prior to purchasing or leasing real estate for the business to be qualified.

Sometimes you just need to know which area will have the most benefit for the bottom line of establishing your business, such as a storefront, medical office or office space.  The city of Bonita Springs currently offers an abatement program which can save tens of thousands of dollars in impact fees to a new business doing tenant improvements or improving the infrastructure of existing commercial real estate space.

Quite literally, the keys to information, clever ideas and incentives can all be found through the Chamber of Commerce representatives who know which programs can benefit business owners and who to put you in contact with. That being said, I’ll list the URL’s of importance so you can do some homework but I would urge you to contact the Bonita Springs Chamber of Commerce.

• www.BonitaSpringsChamber.com – Bonita Springs Chamber of Commerce
• Bonita Springs Estero Economic Development Council -is fairly new and the website is in development
• www.FortMyersRegionalPartnership.com – Fort Myers Regional Partnerships, Horizon Council, Horizon Foundation, Industrial Development Authority.
• www.SWFLWorks.org – Southwest Florida Workforce Development Board – Employee screening, placement and training with tax incentives to businesses.
• www.swfrtp.org – Southwest Florida Regional Technology Partnership – The SWFRTP is a Professional Technology Partnership whose goal it is to develop and sustain a vibrant community of technologically diverse professionals, establish an innovation and technology cluster in the  Southwest Florida area and be the leading resource to foster success for technology-oriented organizations and professionals in the Southwest Florida.
• www.growfl.com – Initially funded by the Florida Legislature, the Florida Economic Gardening Institute and its GrowFL program helped second-stage companies statewide create 1,400 direct jobs over two years.
• www.facebook.com/groups/edtoday – Economic Development Today Facebook
• www.businessdirectory.leegov.com – Lee County Business Directory
• www.gcvf.com – The Gulf Coast Venture Forum (”the GCVF”) is a Florida 501(c) 6 non-profit corporation, formed in 2001. The primary purpose of the GCVF is to promote the success of Southwest Florida’s new and emerging businesses by educating and bringing together the best entrepreneurs and Angel Investors.

This post is part of a series written over the 2011-2012 year documenting the Leadership Bonita Program.  Other chapters are below in chronological order: 

Leadership Bonita | Bonita Springs Chamber of Commerce

Leadership Bonita | The Retreat

Leadership Bonita | Economic Development

Leadership Bonita 2011-2012

Every Leadership Bonita program starts with a weekend retreat.  This year’s retreat, like the last few, was held at Hyatt Coconut Point on Estero Bay.  It’s a gorgeous resort hotel, by the way. I wasn’t thrilled to be away for a few days and had told myself that I could just drive the five miles home and sleep with my dog in my own house at night.  That never happened because it turned out to be so much fun.

The retreat consists of dozens of exercises performed by the group, as a group or in smaller pairs, to develop leadership skills, critical thinking, alternative thinking, listing skills and to build camaraderie and friendships.  It certainly is interesting watching large groups of people problem solve and interact. I love to people watch so that aspect was fun.

My only regret, which was unavoidable at the time, would have been not to have a back injury when I was there. Young trainer vs. middle aged woman = woman’s spine loses.

At any rate, the exercises and activities that help the group meld were fun and interesting.  The object of the retreat was for us all to get to know each other better before the Leadership Bonita program started and it worked.  We had a great time and it helped structure the group for our first Leadership program, Economic Development.

By the way, Suzanne Matteson, Matteson Consulting Group lead the retreat, in the event you’re looking for team development professional to help grow your business.

This post is part of a series written over the 2011-2012 year documenting the Leadership Bonita Program.  Other chapters are below in chronological order: 

Leadership Bonita | Bonita Springs Chamber of Commerce

Leadership Bonita | The Retreat

Leadership Bonita | Economic Development

Leadership Bonita 2011-2012

This post is part of a series written over the 2011-2012 year documenting the Leadership Bonita Program. Other chapters are below:The Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce offers the Leadership Bonita program to members of the community of Bonita Springs, Florida. The Leadership Bonita program is designed to hone leadership skills, create the opportunity for personal growth, and to help participants learn more about the Bonita Springs, Florida area on many levels such as:

• Economic Development
• Government
• Education
• Healthcare
• Tourism
• Infrastructure
• Public Safety
• Social Issues
• Media and The Arts
• Environment

Here’s a little press release from the Chamber of Commerce announcing this year’s Leadership Bonita Class.  Yes, yours truly is a Leadership Bonita participant.  I’m going to do my best to share a few pictures and commentary on what I learn about Bonita Springs from the inside, out. 

If you’d like to contact the Bonita Springs Chamber of Commerce to learn more visit their website: www.BonitaSpringsChamber.com

This post is part of a series written over the 2011-2012 year documenting the Leadership Bonita Program.  Other chapters are below in chronological order: 

Leadership Bonita | Bonita Springs Chamber of Commerce

Leadership Bonita | The Retreat

Leadership Bonita | Economic Development

Boutique Landscape Garden Nursery Old Bonita Springs

The great American shopping destination for landscape or gardening needs is often the big box stores. Bonita Springs and Estero each have one of the big box stores.  Bonita Springs also has mom and pop boutique sized landscape and gardening stores sprinkled about, too. 

Hidden away in Old Bonita Springs is a landscape store called The Garden Corner.  It’s on the corner of Felts Avenue and Dean Street.  You’ve probably driven by it a thousand times and never knew something so cute was just one block off of Old 41 Road, just a few blocks south of the Mexican Pottery Store.

The Garden Corner, Bonita Springs, Fl

You’re really missing out if you don’t stop in and take a tour.  There’s a wonderful, knowledgeable sales staff to help for just about every gardening and landscape need you could possibly have.  The Garden Corner has been in Bonita Springs for years so they know Bonita Springs flower gardens and the soil.

The Garden Corner can tell you what to plant and where to plant it so that it thrives.  If you’re a northern transplant you can get that hands on education about our climate and what will work for your lawns and gardens.

The Garden Corner stock changes often.  You can find local garden nursery favorites like gardenia, hibiscus, impatiens, other flowering plants, fruit trees, herbs, pest treatment solutions, garden ornaments and so much more.  Support local businesses in Bonita Springs.  Stop in and visit the professionals at The Garden Corner and spruce of the curb appeal of your Bonita Springs home, today!

If you’d like to contact the experts at The Garden Corner:

239-992-2125

The Garden Corner

27756 Felts Avenue

Bonita Springs, Florida 34135

Shopping in Bonita Springs and Estero Florida

First, I’m the last person on earth that should be writing about a mall or shopping or anything retail. I’m slightly allergic to shopping.  I’m all about shopping dot com and the UPS man dropping my choices off at the front door.  This trip to Miromar Outlet was for dinner at my favorite, Luna Pizza.   That’s the closest I usually ever get to a retail therapy. 

This time the littlest person in the family roped me into looking for a coat which doesn’t sound like a challenge except for the fact that she’s in her twenties and still wears clothes from the kids department due to her diminutive size.  I made the best out of being a Miromar Outlet hostage, I made the best out of it for both of us … me and LBD.  Little Brown Dog was tagging along in his bed, thanks to Atilla the Gardener poisoning him, and he’s volunteered to play Where’s Waldo, southwest Florida ~ Little Brown Dog style.

And for the record, there are no coats in the Jockey Store.   Now … where’s LBD?

Where’s LBD at The Jockey Store?

Where’s LBD at The Nike Store?

Where’s LBD at The Nike Store?

  Where’s LBD at the J Crew Store?

Miromar Outlets is located at Corkscrew and Ben Hill Griffin Road.  For more visit their site www.MiromarOutlets.com

PHONE: (239) 948-3766 · REGULAR HOURS: Monday – Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

CLICK HERE for Holiday Hours · LOCATION: I-75, Exit 123, Corkscrew Road / Miromar Outlets Blvd. in Estero,

between Naples & Fort Myers

Real Estate, The Economy & Southwest Florida Tourism

Tourism makes for great people watching. Having just returned from an Olympic level of people watching in New Orleans, I’d actually been a bit reflective and had thinking about the big city versus our little city when a friend of mine called to see how the trip went.

There really isn’t much in similarity between the two cities by comparison because, well, the two areas are wildly different … with the exception of tourism. It seems we both get our fair share of tourists.

Right about the time that I was explaining finer points of how nicely New Orleanians seemed to treat their tourists, a stream of PG-13 verbal rage crawled thru the phone, sprinkled with a few colorful words.

It’s not the first time I’ve recognized frustration projected at visitors this fall or any fall for that matter.

Now, combine that with the honking horns, wagging middle fingers and the occasional bumper sticker that reads “If it’s tourist season why can’t we shoot them?” and it might actually appear that we don’t appreciate tourists in Southwest Florida. It certainly makes it look like we don’t need them.

The locals complaining about tourists have actually been on my mind since I saw the first car hauler rattle into town this fall.

I’ve lived here for decades and have grown use to them starting to show up shortly after Labor Day. You’ve may have seen them off loading along the Trail and at entrances to communities without giving them a second thought.

Basically, the car haulers mean the snowbirds are coming back. The flock is a blessing and I know many local business owners really felt their absence this year and have been counting on their return.

From that perspective, it would make sense that complaining about our main source of industry shouldn’t be so fashionable. If you’re one of those types maybe you’ve been thinking about this all wrong.

What if being stuck behind a slow poke in traffic means that we’re lucky?

We’re lucky that out of all of the warm places in the state of Florida or even the U.S. of A the visitors chose to come here. They chose to support our local businesses, shop at our stores, dine in our restaurants, buy our real estate and contribute to our economy even if it’s just for nine months out of the year.

Nobody is a fan of heavy traffic or actually having to make a reservation to eat dinner but most of us should probably be grateful for our snowbirds, especially this year.

It was a long, hot summer and the business owners who took a shot at their American dream and stretched their leveraged necks out over the quiet summer are counting on us to make the seasonal residents and tourists feel a little bit more welcome. That would mean less grumbling and no anti-tourist bumper stickers.

Now, in fairness to the locals and to keep myself from being tarred and feathered for being pro-tourist, I will recommend that the visitors and seasonal residents may no longer drive in the fast lane … ever, write checks instead of use a debit card at the grocery or complain about how much cheaper things are up north. Fair is fair.

Now get out there, Southwest Florida, and welcome the visitors with a friendly smile and a warm heart. And make sure you use all of your fingers when you’re waving at folks in traffic this season.

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Real Life in Bonita Springs is a project by Chris Griffith dedicated to writing useful blog posts for consumers about the Bonita Springs, Florida area.  Find out what it is really like to live in Bonita Springs, Florida by reading about our fair city. You’ll get the latest in local real estate information, Bonita Springs real estate market reports and a little bit of humor.  If you have topic ideas, feel free to request a story about the idea, after all, this site is just for you.

You can subscribe to a weekly email newsletter by visiting www.LifeInBonitaSprings.com and entering your email in the subscription area on the center pane of the web page or by adding us to your reader by subscribing to this blog. Oh, and if you’re reading this content anywhere else but www.LifeInBonitaSprings.com or Naples Daily News it is probably stolen.

Rail Head Cafe at Village Walk 

Updated July 2010 – Rail Head Cafe is now in Village Walk and open to the general public.  Why not dine in a club atmosphere in a gorgeous community?  Village Walk is located off of Bonita Beach Road, East of I-75. 

In case you’re wondering, Rail Head still makes everything from scratch and is reasonably priced, too.  If you’re not a resident of Village Walk call ahead to have your name given to security at the gate so you’ll get in easily.  239-221-7093

Just last week I had an opportunity to dine at Rail Head Cafe in Village Walk.  The Arizona Wrap was actually improved, they toasted the wrap first and it made it even tastier.  The original review of the restaurant is below the new, improved map to Village Walk and The Rail Head Cafe. 

Recently when “my” Albertson’s Grocery store closed I was not only saddened but left without a local, handy grocery store. Today, I swooped into the Albertson’s on the corner of Bonita Beach Road and Livingston Road to pick up some shrimp to make stir fry with “Japanese Secret Sauce”.

FYI: It turns out that that “Japanese Secret Sauce” that gets major play at the steakhouses and franchises, isn’t really all that “traditional”. Email me directly for the “top secret mayonnaise based recipe”….and the clever story how I lost my vision by getting the secret ingredient in my eye accidentally. Seriously, I wouldn’t believe it myself unless I was the one with black, drippy, mascara running down my face.

This wasn’t the first time I visited this plaza where my “new” grocery store is. I’ve been making a nuisance of myself at the Railhead Café. Rail Head has only been in this plaza for a few short weeks. Back in the day they were in Rail Head Park, hence the name Rail Head.

Several weeks ago, long after “my” Albertson’s closed I had to go to “the other” Albertson’s. I saw Rail Head Café was there and decided to try something new.

My first trial was with @AlGorithm and he had a blackened chicken sammy and I had a breakfast burrito; egg with *home made* salsa in a wrap. I’m not wild about eggs and hadn’t befriended/blackmailed the staff to special order stuff for me yet, so I made do and lived to tell the tale.

Since then I’ve been a tough customer. I’m a picky Patty I asked for the Arizona wrap (which traditionally comes with turkey) with no meat. It has all sorts of veggies, avocado, maybe a chipotle mayo and a few other fixin’s.

It’s affordable to dine, per person at $7 or less and it’s all home cooked, as in home made. Tasty sides of pasta, slaw, fries, what have you. First time I was in with a friend the tab was $11 for two. You can’t beat that value with a stick.

Rail Head also caters, corporate catering, weddings, parties, graduations, you name it. If you need more info or to contact Matt from Rail Head: http://railheadtogo.com/

Simply Cupcakes of Naples, Florida

A trip from Bonita Springs to Lely to check on listings is just a clever excuse to make a pit stop at Simply Cupcakes.  This little bakery simply makes the best cupcakes in Southwest Florida.  There, I said it.

Mini-Me and I picked up up a half dozen cupcakes to take home.  This picture was taken in the parking lot of Naples Cupcake.  The red velvet never made it to Tamiami Trail.  I do have to say that it is quite a remarkable cupcake. The red velvet is divine … super moist and *very* tasty.

If you’re in the mood to pick up cupcakes make sure you place special orders, like the mini cupcakes at least a day in advance.  You can visit their Facebook Fan Page for the latest offerings and featured cupcake offering.  Their website is www.SimplyCupcakes.net.

2757 East Tamiami Trail
Naples, Fl 34112
(239) 530-1100

You can find a map to the tastiest treats in town here:

What Are Your Bonita Springs Top Picks?

In the spirit of wrapping up all things “Tourist Season 2009” and to get this over with, so I can get to passing out these massive, seven foot, six inch tall trophies, I’ve decided to publish a list for the “Spring 2010 Top Ten of Bonita Springs”.  It’s all my humble opinion, of course.

Think of it as kind of like Oprah’s favorite things, but with me picking it. Oh and there’s a lot less net worth.  Oh, and different hair, mine is graying, Oprah’s magically isn’t. Oh, and I’m not giving away any prize or merchandise or even trophies for that matter. 

Without further delay … in no particular order:

1. The Survey Cafe’s new tapas menu and beer and wine list available on Friday and Saturday nights in greater downtown old Bonita Springs, Florida. A few fave’s are the cheese plate and the pulled pork nachos. Mini Me likes the nachos. I had the cheese plate, also the scallop plate.
2. White Sands Veterinary Clinic and Dr. Mason – They love dogs and have even saved LBD several times as well as perform a few acts of kindness for good folks who ran out of cash trying to cure their sick dog, when they were so close to saving the dog … Dr. Mason decided it was easier to save ‘em than watch ‘em die.
3. The two Bonita Springs Rotary Club’s, morning and noon.  Without those clubs there would be less community events and festivals like Taste of Bonita, Taste of Estero, The Boat Parade and the Christmas Tree stand.
4. Alan from Pack and Ship on Bonita Beach Road, because when you go in his store to ship a letter, Fed-Ex, UPS or a box, you’re family, he remembers your name and says please and thank you. He even takes bags of left over packing peanuts I collect from seller’s of real estate who have left them behind. (I have moral conflict about sending them to a landfill)
5. Chris Griffith, because it’s all about the details and when she sees expired license plates on cars in parking lots always leaves a note on the car door so they can get that fixed before they get a ticket. I just found a June ‘08.  Hello?  These days, it’s like looking for four leaf clovers.
6. The Flesher Family for putting lights up again so this city had a place to go celebrate the season with their family and enjoy time with each other like they should have been doing all these years. Just sayin’.
7. Pat, the guy that lives next door to my mom and dad because he takes charge of watching their house and charges their car battery. He also runs a business that does finish trim carpentry (crown molding, baseboards, mill work, new doors, etc) so if you need anyone in that department, call me and I’ll hook you up.
8. Bonitian rednecks, because they’re usually good and kind and generous.  They’ll take you to the woods in East Bonita or on an Airboat in the Everglades just to make sure you see God’s country.
9. Barefoot Beach Park for totally rocking the Gulf of Mexico and adding concession food, kayaks, restroom facilities and a gopher tortoise preserve just to push it over the top.  Blam!
10. Farmer Mike’s U–Pick or you pick, for turning out the best produce in the area.  The stand runs seasonally, Nov to April/May-ish. Fresh tomatoes and in the spring the strawberries are so abundant when you open your car door your mouth waters.

There you have it, 10 great things to do, Bonita Springs events or great local Bonita Springs businesses or residents that could use your support.  If you have a great business to add, just put it in a comment so other readers can enjoy.